Compressible and strong fibrous structures

ABSTRACT

Articles, such as sanitary tissue products, comprising fibrous structures, and more particularly articles comprising fibrous structures comprising a plurality of fibrous elements wherein the articles exhibit improved consumer relevant properties, for example improved bulk and absorbent properties, compared to known articles and methods for making same are provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles, such as sanitary tissueproducts, comprising fibrous structures, and more particularly toarticles comprising fibrous structures comprising a plurality of fibrouselements wherein the articles exhibit improved bulk and absorbentproperties compared to known articles and methods for making same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved roll bulk and/or wet and/or dry sheet bulkcompared to known sanitary tissue products, especially paper towels,without negatively impacting the softness and/or stiffness and/orflexibility of the sanitary tissue product. In the past, in order toachieve greater roll bulk and/or wet and/or dry sheet bulk in sanitaryissue products, such as paper towels, the softness and/or stiffnessand/or flexibility of the sanitary tissue products was negativelyimpacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved absorbency compared to known sanitarytissue products, especially paper towels, without negatively impactingthe softness and/or stiffness and/or flexibility of the sanitary tissueproduct. In the past, in order to achieve greater absorbency in sanitaryissue products, such as paper towels, the softness and/or stiffnessand/or flexibility of the sanitary tissue products were negativelyimpacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved absorbency compared to known sanitarytissue products, especially paper towels, without negatively impactingthe strength of the sanitary tissue product. In the past, in order toachieve greater absorbency in sanitary issue products, such as papertowels, the strength of the sanitary tissue products was negativelyimpacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved hand protection during use compared toknown sanitary tissue products, especially paper towels, withoutnegatively impacting absorbency. In the past, in order to achievegreater hand protection in sanitary issue products, such as papertowels, the absorbency of the sanitary tissue products was negativelyimpacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved roll bulk and/or wet and/or dry sheet bulkcompared to known sanitary tissue products, especially paper towels,without negatively impacting the opacity of the sanitary tissue product.In the past, in order to achieve greater roll bulk and/or wet and/or drysheet bulk in sanitary issue products, such as paper towels, the opacityof the sanitary tissue products was negatively impacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved reopenability during use compared to knownsanitary tissue products, especially paper towels, without negativelyimpacting absorbency. In the past, in order to achieve improvedreopenability in sanitary issue products, such as paper towels, theabsorbency of the sanitary tissue products was negatively impacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved absorbency, especially absorbent capacity,compared to known sanitary tissue products, especially paper towels,without negatively impacting the surface drying of the sanitary tissueproduct. In the past, in order to achieve greater absorbency in sanitaryissue products, such as paper towels, the surface drying of the sanitarytissue products was negatively impacted.

Consumers of articles, such as sanitary tissue products, for examplepaper towels, desire improved wet sheet bulk during use, compared toknown sanitary tissue products, especially paper towels, withoutnegatively impacting the surface drying of the sanitary tissue product.In the past, in order to achieve greater wet sheet bulk in sanitaryissue products, such as paper towels, the surface drying of the sanitarytissue products was negatively impacted.

In the past, fibers, such as cellulose pulp fibers, have been used inknown fibrous structures to achieve bulk and absorbency properties inarticles, such as sanitary tissue products, for example paper towels,but such bulk and absorbency properties have been plagued with negativesas described above, such as softness and/or flexibility and/or stiffnessnegatives and/or the ability to maintain the bulk properties when wet.Examples of such known articles comprising such fibrous structures aredescribed below.

Articles comprising fibrous structures comprising a plurality of fibrouselements, for example filaments and fibers, wherein the articles exhibitdifferential cellulose content throughout the thickness of the articleare known. One prior art article 10 comprising a fibrous structurecomprising a plurality of fibrous elements (filaments and/or fibers) asshown in Prior Art FIG. 1 comprises a meltblown or spunbond polymericabrasive layer 12 and an absorbent layer 14, such as a paper web, forexample a wet-laid fibrous structure, a coform fibrous structure, or anair-laid fibrous structure. In one example, the cellulose contentthroughout the thickness T (along the z-axis) of the prior art article10 when the absorbent layer 14 is a paper web, for example a fibrousstructure or air-laid fibrous structure is such that a first portion,for example the abrasive layer 12, of the prior art article 10 exhibitsa cellulose content of less than 40%, for example about 0% by weight ofthe fibrous elements in the first portion, and a second portion of theprior art article 10, for example the absorbent layer 14; namely, thewet-laid or air-laid fibrous structure, exhibits a cellulose content of95% to 100%, for example 100% by weight of the fibrous elements in thesecond portion.

In another example of Prior Art FIG. 1, the cellulose content throughoutthe thickness T of the prior art article 10 when the absorbent layer 14is a coform fibrous structure is such that a first portion, for examplethe abrasive layer 12, of the prior art article 10 exhibits a cellulosecontent of less than 40%, for example about 0% by weight of the fibrouselements in the first portion, and a second portion, for example theabsorbent layer 14; namely, the coform fibrous structure, exhibits acellulose content of 40% to less than 95% by weight of the fibrouselements in the second portion.

As shown in Prior Art FIG. 1, the prior art article 10 fails to teach acellulose content such that the cellulose content of a first portion ofthe prior art article 10 is from 0% to less than 40% by weight of thefibrous elements in the first portion, the cellulose content of a secondportion of the prior art article 10 different from the first portion isfrom 40% to less than 93% by weight of the fibrous elements in thesecond portion, and the cellulose content of a third portion of theprior art article 10 different from the first and second portions is 93%to 100% by weight of the fibrous elements in the third portion, andwherein at least the second portion comprises a mixture of filaments andfibers.

Accordingly, there is a need for articles comprising fibrous structuresthat exhibit novel differential cellulose content that results in thearticles exhibiting improved bulk and/or absorbent properties that areconsumer acceptable that maintain sufficient such bulk properties whenwet during use by consumers and/or without negatively impacting and/orimproving the softness and/or flexibility and/or stiffness of sucharticles and methods for making same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providingarticles comprising fibrous structures that exhibit novel cellulosecontents such that the articles exhibit improved bulk and/or absorbentproperties that are consumer acceptable while still maintaining suchbulk properties when wet and/or without negatively impacting and/orimproving the softness and/or flexibility and/or stiffness of sucharticles and methods for making same.

One solution to the problem identified above are articles, such assanitary tissue products, for example paper towels, that comprisefibrous structures that utilize a plurality of fibrous elements, such asfilaments and/or fibers, arranged within the articles such that thearticles exhibit cellulose contents, such as within the fibrouselements, for example as cellulose pulp fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers),that vary throughout the thickness of the articles containing suchfibrous structure such that the cellulose content of a first portion ofan article is from 0% to less than 40% by weight of the fibrous elementsin the first portion (which by default herein means the remainder offibrous elements present within the first portion do not containcellulose, for example contain a synthetic polymer, such as athermoplastic polymer like polypropylene), the cellulose content of asecond portion of the article different from the first portion is from40% to less than 95% by weight of the fibrous elements in the secondportion, and the cellulose content of a third portion of the articledifferent from the first and second portions is 95% to 100% by weight ofthe fibrous elements in the third portion, and wherein at least thesecond portion comprises a mixture of filaments and fibers. Such anarrangement of cellulose content within the article as described aboveresults in the article exhibiting improved bulk and/or absorbencycompared to known fibrous structures while still maintaining or at leastmaintaining more of the bulk properties when wet compared to knownproperties and/or without negatively impacting and/or improving thesoftness and/or flexibility and/or stiffness properties of the articlecompared to known articles comprising fibrous structures.

It has unexpectedly been found that the arrangement of the fibrousstructures and/or fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) within the articlesof the present invention and/or type of fibrous structures and/or typeof fibrous elements, for example filaments and/or fibers, within thearticles of the present invention result in the article of the presentinvention exhibiting novel properties, such as bulk and/or absorbentproperties without negatively impacting the softness and/or flexibilityand/or stiffness of the articles.

In one example of the present invention, an article, for example anosmotic material-free article comprising a plurality of fibers, whereinthe article exhibits

a. a Dry BEA of greater than 20.0 and/or greater than 22.0 and/orgreater than 24.0 and/or greater than 26.0 and/or greater than 28.0and/or greater than 30.0 and/or greater than 31.0 and/or greater than32.0 and/or greater than 33.0 (g-in/in²) as measured according to theDry Burst Test Method; and

b. a Dry Thick Compression of greater than 700 and/or greater than 750and/or greater than 900 and/or greater than 1000 and/or greater than1100 and/or greater than 1200 and/or greater than 1300 and/or greaterthan 1400 mils*mils/log (gr force/in²) as measured according to the DryCompressive Modulus Test Method, is provided.

In one example of the present invention, an article, for example anosmotic material-free article comprising a plurality of fibers, whereinthe article exhibits

a. a Wet BEA of greater than 10.0 and/or greater than 12.0 and/orgreater than 15.0 and/or greater than 17.0 and/or greater than 20.0and/or greater than 25.0 and/or greater than 30.0 and/or greater than32.0 and/or greater than 35.0 (g-in/in^(t)) as measured according to theWet Burst Test Method; and

b. a Dry Thick Compression of greater than 700 and/or greater than 750and/or greater than 900 and/or greater than 1000 and/or greater than1100 and/or greater than 1200 and/or greater than 1300 and/or greaterthan 1400 mils*mils/log (gr force/in²) as measured according to the DryCompressive Modulus Test Method, is provided.

In one example of the present invention, an article, for example anosmotic material-free article comprising a plurality of fibers, whereinthe article exhibits

a. a Dry BEA of greater than 20.0 and/or greater than 22.0 and/orgreater than 24.0 and/or greater than 26.0 and/or greater than 28.0and/or greater than 30.0 and/or greater than 31.0 and/or greater than32.0 and/or greater than 33.0 (g-in/in^(t)) as measured according to theDry Burst Test Method; and

b. a Wet Thick Compression of greater than 1800 and/or greater than 1850and/or greater than 2000 and/or greater than 2200 and/or greater than2500 and/or greater than 2700 and/or greater than 3000 and/or greaterthan 3200 and/or greater than 3500 and/or greater than 4000 and/orgreater than 4500 mils*mils/log (gr force/in^(t)) as measured accordingto the Wet Compressive Modulus Test Method, is provided.

In one example of the present invention, an article, for example anosmotic material-free article comprising a plurality of fibers, whereinthe article exhibits

a. a Wet BEA of greater than 10.0 and/or greater than 12.0 and/orgreater than 15.0 and/or greater than 17.0 and/or greater than 20.0and/or greater than 25.0 and/or greater than 30.0 and/or greater than32.0 and/or greater than 35.0 (g-in/in²) as measured according to theWet Burst Test Method; and

b. a Wet Thick Compression of greater than 1800 and/or greater than 1850and/or greater than 2000 and/or greater than 2200 and/or greater than2500 and/or greater than 2700 and/or greater than 3000 and/or greaterthan 3200 and/or greater than 3500 and/or greater than 4000 and/orgreater than 4500 mils*mils/log (gr force/in^(t)) as measured accordingto the Wet Compressive Modulus Test Method, is provided.

The present invention provides novel articles comprising fibrousstructures comprising fibrous elements that result in the articlesexhibiting novel bulk and/or absorbent properties as a result of thearticles exhibiting a novel cellulose content, and methods for makingsame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of an example of a prior artarticle.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional representation of an example of a co-formedfibrous web according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an example of a process for making the co-formed fibrous webof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional representation of an example of an articleaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of afibrous web according to the present invention;

FIG. 6B is an example of a process for making the fibrous web of FIG.6A;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 9B is an example of a process for making the article according toFIG. 9A

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 14B is an example of a process for making the article of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 16B is an example of a process for making the article of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of afibrous web according to the present invention suitable for use in thearticle of FIGS. 20A and 20B;

FIG. 21B is an example of a process for making the fibrous web of FIG.21A;

FIG. 22A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 22B is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of afibrous web according to the present invention suitable for use in thearticle of FIGS. 22A and 22B;

FIG. 23B is an example of a process for making the fibrous web of FIG.23A;

FIG. 24A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 24B is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 25A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of afibrous web according to the present invention suitable for use in thearticle of FIGS. 24A and 24B;

FIG. 25B is an example of a process for making the fibrous web of FIG.25A;

FIG. 26A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional representation of another example of afibrous web according to the present invention suitable for use in thearticle of FIGS. 26A and 26B;

FIG. 27B is an example of a process for making the fibrous web of FIG.27A;

FIG. 28 is a cross-section representation of another example of anarticle according to the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a sample setup used in the Liquid Breakthrough Test Method;

FIG. 30 is a test setup used in the Liquid Breakthrough Test Method;

FIG. 31 is an example of a sample support rack used in the HFS and VFSTest Methods;

FIG. 31A is a cross-sectional view of the sample support rack of FIG.31;

FIG. 32 is an example of a sample support rack cover used in the HFS andVFS Test Methods;

FIG. 32A is a cross-sectional view of the sample support rack cover ofFIG. 32;

FIG. 33 is setup used in the Roll Firmness Test Method; and

FIGS. 34A to 34DDD are plots of various properties for articles and/orfibrous structures of the present invention and prior art articlesand/or fibrous structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Article” as used herein means a consumer-usable structure comprisingone or more and/or two or more and/or three or more and/or four or morefibrous webs according to the present invention. In one example thearticle is a dry article. In addition, the article may be a sanitarytissue product. The article may comprise two or more and/or three ormore different fibrous webs selected from the group consisting of:wet-laid fibrous webs, air-laid fibrous webs, co-formed fibrous web,meltblown fibrous web, and spunbond fibrous web. In one example, thearticle is void of a hydroentangled fibrous web and/or is not ahydroentangled fibrous web. In another example, the article is void of acarded fibrous web and/or is not a carded fibrous web. In addition tothe fibrous webs, the articles of the present invention may compriseother solid matter, such as sponges, foams, particle, such as absorbentgel materials, and mixtures thereof.

In one example, two or more fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) of thepresent invention may be associated together to form the article.

In one example, the article of the present invention comprises one ormore co-formed fibrous webs (co-formed fibrous web plies). In additionto the co-formed fibrous web, the article may further comprise one ormore wet-laid fibrous webs (wet-laid fibrous web plies). Also inaddition to the co-formed fibrous web (co-formed fibrous web ply) withor without one or more wet-laid fibrous webs (wet-laid fibrous webplies), the article may further comprise one or more meltblown fibrouswebs (meltblown fibrous web plies).

In another example, the article of the present invention may compriseone or more multi-fibrous element fibrous webs (e.g., a fibrousstructure comprising a mixture of filaments and fibers), such as aco-formed fibrous web, and one or more mono-fibrous element fibrous webs(e.g., a fibrous structure comprising only fibers or only filaments, nota mixture of fibers and filaments), such as a paper web, for example afibrous web and/or a meltblown fibrous web.

In one example, at least a portion of the article exhibits a basisweight of about 150 gsm or less and/or about 100 gsm or less and/or fromabout 30 gsm to about 95 gsm.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means a soft, low density (i.e.< about 0.15 g/cm³) web useful as a wiping implement for post-urinaryand post-bowel movement cleaning (toilet tissue), forotorhinolaryngological discharges (facial tissue), and multi-functionalabsorbent and cleaning uses (absorbent towels). Non-limiting examples ofsuitable sanitary tissue products of the present invention include papertowels, bath tissue, facial tissue, napkins, baby wipes, adult wipes,wet wipes, cleaning wipes, polishing wipes, cosmetic wipes, car carewipes, wipes that comprise an active agent for performing a particularfunction, cleaning substrates for use with implements, such as aSwiffer® cleaning wipe/pad. The sanitary tissue product may beconvolutedly wound upon itself about a core or without a core to form asanitary tissue product roll.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit abasis weight between about 10 g/m² to about 500 g/m² and/or from about15 g/m² to about 400 g/m² and/or from about 20 g/m² to about 300 g/m²and/or from about 20 g/m² to about 200 g/m² and/or from about 20 g/m² toabout 150 g/m² and/or from about 20 g/m² to about 120 g/m² and/or fromabout 20 g/m² to about 110 g/m² and/or from about 20 g/m² to about 100g/m² and/or from about 30 to 90 g/m². In addition, the sanitary tissueproduct of the present invention may exhibit a basis weight betweenabout 40 g/m² to about 500 g/m² and/or from about 50 g/m² to about 400g/m² and/or from about 55 g/m² to about 300 g/m² and/or from about 60 to200 g/m². In one example, the sanitary tissue product exhibits a basisweight of less than 100 g/m² and/or less than 80 g/m² and/or less than75 g/m² and/or less than 70 g/m² and/or less than 65 g/m² and/or lessthan 60 g/m² and/or less than 55 g/m² and/or less than 50 g/m² and/orless than 47 g/m² and/or less than 45 g/m² and/or less than 40 g/m²and/or less than 35 g/m² and/or to greater than 20 g/m² and/or greaterthan 25 g/m² and/or greater than 30 g/m² as measured according to theBasis Weight Test Method described herein.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit adensity (measured at 95 g/in²) of less than about 0.60 g/cm³ and/or lessthan about 0.30 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.20 g/cm³ and/or less thanabout 0.10 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.07 g/cm³ and/or less thanabout 0.05 g/cm³ and/or from about 0.01 g/cm³ to about 0.20 g/cm³ and/orfrom about 0.02 g/cm³ to about 0.10 g/cm³.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may comprisesadditives such as softening agents, temporary wet strength agents,permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening agents, silicones, wettingagents, latexes, especially surface-pattern-applied latexes, drystrength agents such as carboxymethylcellulose and starch, and othertypes of additives suitable for inclusion in and/or on sanitary tissueproducts.

“Fibrous web” as used herein means a unitary structure comprising one ormore fibrous structures that are associated with one another, such as bycompression bonding (for example by passing through a nip formed by tworollers), thermal bonding (for example by passing through a nip formedby two rollers where at least one of the rollers is heated to atemperature of at least about 120° C. (250° F.), microselfing, needlepunching, and gear rolling, to form the unitary structure, for example aunitary structure that exhibits sufficient integrity to be processedwith web handling equipment and/or exhibits a basis weight of at least 6gsm and/or at least 8 gsm and/or at least 10 gsm and/or at least 15 gsmand/or at least 20 gsm and/or at least 30 gsm and/or at least 40 gsm.The unitary structure may also be referred to as a ply, a fibrous webply.

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises aplurality of fibrous elements, for example a plurality of filamentsand/or a plurality of fibers, for example pulp fibers, for example woodpulp fibers, and/or cellulose fibrous elements and/or cellulose fibers,such as pulp fibers, for example wood pulp fibers. In addition to thefibrous elements, the fibrous structures may comprise particles, such asabsorbent gel material particles. In one example, a fibrous structureaccording to the present invention means an orderly arrangement offibrous elements within a structure in order to perform a function. Inanother example, a fibrous structure according to the present inventionis a nonwoven. In one example, the fibrous structures of the presentinvention may comprise wet-laid fibrous structures, for example embossedconventional wet pressed fibrous structures, through-air-dried (TAD)fibrous structures both creped and/or uncreped, belt-creped fibrousstructures, fabric-creped fibrous structures, and combinations thereof,air-laid fibrous structures, such as thermally-bonded air-laid (TBAL)fibrous structures, melt-bonded air-laid (MBAL), latex-bonded air-laid(LBAL) fibrous structures and combinations thereof, co-formed fibrousstructures, meltblown fibrous structures, and spunbond fibrousstructures, carded fibrous structures, and combinations thereof. In oneexample, the fibrous structure is a non-hydroentangled fibrousstructure. In another example, the fibrous structure is a non-cardedfibrous structure.

In another example of the present invention, a fibrous structurecomprises a plurality of inter-entangled fibrous elements, for exampleinter-entangled filaments.

Non-limiting examples of fibrous structures and/or fibrous webs (fibrousweb plies) of the present invention include paper.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be homogeneous ormay be layered. If layered, the fibrous structures may comprise at leasttwo and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least fivelayers.

Any one of the fibrous structures may itself be a fibrous web (fibrousweb ply) if the fibrous structure exhibits sufficient integrity to beprocessed with web handling equipment and/or exhibits a basis weight ofat least 6 gsm and/or at least 8 gsm and/or at least 10 gsm and/or atleast 15 gsm and/or at least 20 gsm and/or at least 30 gsm and/or atleast 40 gsm. An example of such a fibrous structure, for example apaper web, for example a fibrous structure exhibiting a basis weight ofat least 10 gsm and/or at least 15 gsm and/or at least 20 gsm can be afibrous web (fibrous web ply) itself.

Non-limiting examples of processes for making the fibrous structures ofthe present invention include known wet-laid papermaking processes, forexample conventional wet-pressed (CWP) papermaking processes andthrough-air-dried (TAD), both creped TAD and uncreped TAD, papermakingprocesses, and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typicallyinclude steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a fibersuspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, ordry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air as medium. The aqueousmedium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiberslurry. The fiber slurry is then used to deposit a plurality of thefibers onto a forming wire, fabric, or belt such that an embryonic webmaterial is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fiberstogether results in a fibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrous webply). Further processing of the fibrous structure and/or fibrous web(fibrous web ply) may be carried out such that a fibrous structureand/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) is formed. For example, in typicalpapermaking processes, the fibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrousweb ply) is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking, often referredto as a parent roll, and may subsequently be converted into a fibrousweb (fibrous web ply) of the present invention and/or ultimatelyincorporated into an article, such as a single- or multi-ply sanitarytissue product.

“Multi-fibrous element fibrous structure” as used herein means a fibrousstructure that comprises filaments and fibers, for example a co-formedfibrous structure is a multi-fibrous element fibrous structure.

“Mono-fibrous element fibrous structure” as used herein means a fibrousstructure that comprises only fibers or filaments, for example a paperweb, such as a paper web, for example a fibrous structure, or meltblownfibrous structure, such as a scrim, respectively, not a mixture offibers and filaments.

“Co-formed fibrous structure” as used herein means that the fibrousstructure comprises a mixture of filaments, for example meltblownfilaments, such as thermoplastic filaments, for example polypropylenefilaments, and fibers, such as pulp fibers, for example wood pulpfibers. The filaments and fibers are commingled together to form theco-formed fibrous structure. The co-formed fibrous structure may beassociated with one or more meltblown fibrous structures and/or spunbondfibrous structures, which form a scrim (in one example the scrim may bepresent at a basis weight of greater than 0.5 gsm to about 5 gsm and/orfrom about 1 gsm to about 4 gsm and/or from about 1 gsm to about 3 gsmand/or from about 1.5 gsm to about 2.5 gsm), such as on one or moresurfaces of the co-formed fibrous structure.

The co-formed fibrous structure of the present invention may be made viaa co-forming process. A non-limiting example of making a co-formedfibrous structure and/or co-formed fibrous web (co-formed fibrous webply) comprising a co-formed fibrous structure associated with or withouta meltblown fibrous structure, for example a scrim layer of filaments,on one or both surfaces, when present, of the co-formed fibrousstructure and process for making is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

“Fibrous element” as used herein means an elongate particulate having alength greatly exceeding its average diameter, i.e. a length to averagediameter ratio of at least about 10. A fibrous element may be a filamentor a fiber. In one example, the fibrous element is a single fibrouselement rather than a yarn comprising a plurality of fibrous elements.

The fibrous elements of the present invention may be spun from polymermelt compositions via suitable spinning operations, such as meltblowingand/or spunbonding and/or they may be obtained from natural sources suchas vegetative sources, for example trees.

The fibrous elements of the present invention may be monocomponentand/or multicomponent. For example, the fibrous elements may comprisebicomponent fibers and/or filaments. The bicomponent fibers and/orfilaments may be in any form, such as side-by-side, core and sheath,islands-in-the-sea and the like.

“Filament” as used herein means an elongate particulate as describedabove that exhibits a length of greater than or equal to 5.08 cm (2 in.)and/or greater than or equal to 7.62 cm (3 in.) and/or greater than orequal to 10.16 cm (4 in.) and/or greater than or equal to 15.24 cm (6in.).

Filaments are typically considered continuous or substantiallycontinuous in nature. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers.Non-limiting examples of filaments include meltblown and/or spunbondfilaments. Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be spun intofilaments include natural polymers, such as starch, starch derivatives,cellulose, such as rayon and/or lyocell, and cellulose derivatives,hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, and synthetic polymersincluding, but not limited to polyvinyl alcohol filaments and/orpolyvinyl alcohol derivative filaments, and thermoplastic polymerfilaments, such as polyesters, nylons, polyolefins such as polypropylenefilaments, polyethylene filaments, and biodegradable or compostablethermoplastic fibers such as polylactic acid filaments,polyhydroxyalkanoate filaments, polyesteramide filaments, andpolycaprolactone filaments. The filaments may be monocomponent ormulticomponent, such as bicomponent filaments.

The filaments may be made via spinning, for example via meltblowingand/or spunbonding, from a polymer, for example a thermoplastic polymer,such as polyolefin, for example polypropylene and/or polyethylene,and/or polyester. Filaments are typically considered continuous orsubstantially continuous in nature.

“Meltblowing” is a process for producing filaments directly frompolymers or resins using high-velocity air or another appropriate forceto attenuate the filaments before collecting the filaments on acollection device, such as a belt, for example a patterned belt ormolding member. In a meltblowing process the attenuation force isapplied in the form of high speed air as the material (polymer) exits adie or spinnerette.

“Spunbonding” is a process for producing filaments directly frompolymers by allowing the polymer to exit a die or spinnerette and drop apredetermined distance under the forces of flow and gravity and thenapplying a force via high velocity air or another appropriate source todraw and/or attenuate the polymer into a filament.

“Fiber” as used herein means an elongate particulate as described abovethat exhibits a length of less than 5.08 cm (2 in.) and/or less than3.81 cm (1.5 in.) and/or less than 2.54 cm (1 in.).

Fibers are typically considered discontinuous in nature. Non-limitingexamples of fibers include pulp fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, andsynthetic staple fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,copolymers thereof, rayon, lyocell, glass fibers and polyvinyl alcoholfibers.

Staple fibers may be produced by spinning a filament tow and thencutting the tow into segments of less than 5.08 cm (2 in.) thusproducing fibers; namely, staple fibers.

“Pulp fibers” as used herein means fibers that have been derived fromvegetative sources, such as plants and/or trees. In one example of thepresent invention, “pulp fiber” refers to papermaking fibers. In oneexample of the present invention, a fiber may be a naturally occurringfiber, which means it is obtained from a naturally occurring source,such as a vegetative source, for example a tree and/or plant, such astrichomes. Such fibers are typically used in papermaking and areoftentimes referred to as papermaking fibers. Papermaking fibers usefulin the present invention include cellulosic fibers commonly known aswood pulp fibers. Applicable wood pulps include chemical pulps, such asKraft, sulfite, and sulfate pulps, as well as mechanical pulpsincluding, for example, groundwood, thermomechanical pulp and chemicallymodified thermomechanical pulp. Chemical pulps, however, may bepreferred since they impart a superior tactile sense of softness tofibrous structures made therefrom. Pulps derived from both deciduoustrees (hereinafter, also referred to as “hardwood”) and coniferous trees(hereinafter, also referred to as “softwood”) may be utilized. Thehardwood and softwood fibers can be blended, or alternatively, can bedeposited in layers to provide a stratified web. Also applicable to thepresent invention are fibers derived from recycled paper, which maycontain any or all of the above categories of fibers as well as othernon-fibrous polymers such as fillers, softening agents, wet and drystrength agents, and adhesives used to facilitate the originalpapermaking.

In one example, the wood pulp fibers are selected from the groupconsisting of hardwood pulp fibers, softwood pulp fibers, and mixturesthereof. The hardwood pulp fibers may be selected from the groupconsisting of: tropical hardwood pulp fibers, northern hardwood pulpfibers, and mixtures thereof. The tropical hardwood pulp fibers may beselected from the group consisting of: eucalyptus fibers, acacia fibers,and mixtures thereof. The northern hardwood pulp fibers may be selectedfrom the group consisting of: cedar fibers, maple fibers, and mixturesthereof.

In addition to the various wood pulp fibers, other cellulosic fiberssuch as cotton linters, rayon, lyocell, trichomes, seed hairs, ricestraw, wheat straw, bamboo, and bagasse fibers can be used in thisinvention. Other sources of cellulose in the form of fibers or capableof being spun into fibers include grasses and grain sources.

“Trichome” or “trichome fiber” as used herein means an epidermalattachment of a varying shape, structure and/or function of a non-seedportion of a plant. In one example, a trichome is an outgrowth of theepidermis of a non-seed portion of a plant. The outgrowth may extendfrom an epidermal cell. In one embodiment, the outgrowth is a trichomefiber. The outgrowth may be a hairlike or bristlelike outgrowth from theepidermis of a plant.

Trichome fibers are different from seed hair fibers in that they are notattached to seed portions of a plant. For example, trichome fibers,unlike seed hair fibers, are not attached to a seed or a seed podepidermis. Cotton, kapok, milkweed, and coconut coir are non-limitingexamples of seed hair fibers.

Further, trichome fibers are different from nonwood bast and/or corefibers in that they are not attached to the bast, also known as phloem,or the core, also known as xylem portions of a nonwood dicotyledonousplant stem. Non-limiting examples of plants which have been used toyield nonwood bast fibers and/or nonwood core fibers include kenaf,jute, flax, ramie and hemp.

Further trichome fibers are different from monocotyledonous plantderived fibers such as those derived from cereal straws (wheat, rye,barley, oat, etc), stalks (corn, cotton, sorghum, Hesperaloe funifera,etc.), canes (bamboo, bagasse, etc.), grasses (esparto, lemon, sabai,switchgrass, etc), since such monocotyledonous plant derived fibers arenot attached to an epidermis of a plant.

Further, trichome fibers are different from leaf fibers in that they donot originate from within the leaf structure. Sisal and abaca aresometimes liberated as leaf fibers.

Finally, trichome fibers are different from wood pulp fibers since woodpulp fibers are not outgrowths from the epidermis of a plant; namely, atree. Wood pulp fibers rather originate from the secondary xylem portionof the tree stem.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a samplereported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m² (gsm) and is measured according to theBasis Weight Test Method described herein.

“Machine Direction” or “MD” as used herein means the direction parallelto the flow of the fibrous structure through the fibrous structuremaking machine and/or sanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment.

“Cross Machine Direction” or “CD” as used herein means the directionparallel to the width of the fibrous structure making machine and/orsanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment and perpendicular to themachine direction.

“Embossed” as used herein with respect to an article, sanitary tissueproduct, and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply), means that an article,sanitary tissue product, and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) has beensubjected to a process which converts a smooth surfaced article,sanitary tissue product, and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) to aout-of-plane, textured surface by replicating a pattern on one or moreemboss rolls, which form a nip through which the article, sanitarytissue product and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) passes. Embosseddoes not include creping, microcreping, printing or other processes thatmay also impart a texture and/or decorative pattern to an article,sanitary tissue product and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply).

“Differential density”, as used herein, means a fibrous structure and/orfibrous web (fibrous web ply) that comprises one or more regions ofrelatively low fibrous element, for example fiber, density, which arereferred to as pillow regions, and one or more regions of relativelyhigh fibrous element, for example fiber, density, which are referred toas knuckle regions.

“Densified”, as used herein means a portion of a fibrous structureand/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) that is characterized by regions ofrelatively high fibrous element, e.g., fiber, density (knuckle regions).

“Non-densified”, as used herein, means a portion of a fibrous structureand/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) that exhibits a lesser fibrouselement, e.g., fiber, density (one or more regions of relatively lowerfibrous element, e.g., fiber, density) (pillow regions) than anotherportion (for example a knuckle region) of the fibrous structure and/orfibrous web (fibrous web ply).

“Wet textured” as used herein means that a three-dimensional (3D)patterned fibrous structure and/or 3D patterned fibrous web (3Dpatterned fibrous web ply) comprises texture (for example athree-dimensional topography) imparted to the fibrous structure and/orfibrous structure's surface and/or fibrous web's surface (fibrous webply's surface) during a fibrous structure making process. In oneexample, in a paper web, for example a fibrous structure making process,wet texture may be imparted to a fibrous structure upon fibers and/orfilaments being collected on a collection device that has athree-dimensional (3D) surface which imparts a 3D surface to the fibrousstructure being formed thereon and/or being transferred to a fabricand/or belt, such as a through-air-drying fabric and/or a patterneddrying belt, comprising a 3D surface that imparts a 3D surface to afibrous structure being formed thereon. In one example, the collectiondevice with a 3D surface comprises a patterned, such as a patternedformed by a polymer or resin being deposited onto a base substrate, suchas a fabric, in a patterned configuration. The wet texture imparted to apaper web, for example a fibrous structure is formed in the fibrousstructure prior to and/or during drying of the fibrous structure.Non-limiting examples of collection devices and/or fabric and/or beltssuitable for imparting wet texture to a fibrous structure include thosefabrics and/or belts used in fabric creping and/or belt crepingprocesses, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,008 and7,789,995, coarse through-air-drying fabrics as used in uncrepedthrough-air-drying processes, and photo-curable resin patternedthrough-air-drying belts, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,637,859. For purposes of the present invention, the collection devicesused for imparting wet texture to the fibrous structures would bepatterned to result in the fibrous structures comprising a surfacepattern comprising a plurality of parallel line elements wherein atleast one, two, three, or more, for example all of the parallel lineelements exhibit a non-constant width along the length of the parallelline elements. This is different from non-wet texture that is impartedto a fibrous structure after the fibrous structure has been dried, forexample after the moisture level of the fibrous structure is less than15% and/or less than 10% and/or less than 5%. An example of non-wettexture includes embossments imparted to a fibrous structure and/orfibrous web (fibrous web ply) by embossing rolls during converting ofthe fibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply). In oneexample, the fibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply), forexample a paper web, for example a fibrous structure and/or wet-laidfibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply), is a wet textured fibrousstructure and/or wet textured fibrous web (wet textured fibrous webply).

“3D pattern” with respect to a fibrous structure and/or fibrous web'ssurface (fibrous web ply's surface) in accordance with the presentinvention means herein a pattern that is present on at least one surfaceof the fibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply). The 3Dpattern texturizes the surface of the fibrous structure and/or fibrousweb (fibrous web ply), for example by providing the surface withprotrusions and/or depressions. The 3D pattern on the surface of thefibrous structure and/or fibrous web (fibrous web ply) is made by makingthe fibrous structure on a patterned molding member that imparts the 3Dpattern to the fibrous structure made thereon. For example, the 3Dpattern may comprise a series of line elements, such as a series of lineelements that are substantially oriented in the cross-machine directionof the fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product.

In one example, a series of line elements may be arranged in a 3Dpattern selected from the group consisting of: periodic patterns,aperiodic patterns, straight line patterns, curved line patterns, wavyline patterns, snaking patterns, square line patterns, triangular linepatterns, S-wave patterns, sinusoidal line patterns, and mixturesthereof. In another example, a series of line elements may be arrangedin a regular periodic pattern or an irregular periodic pattern(aperiodic) or a non-periodic pattern.

“Distinct from” and/or “different from” as used herein means two thingsthat exhibit different properties and/or levels of materials, forexample different by 0.5 and/or 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 5 and/or 10units and/or different by 1% and/or 3% and/or 5% and/or 10% and/or 20%,different materials, and/or different average fiber diameters.

“Textured pattern” as used herein means a pattern, for example a surfacepattern, such as a three-dimensional (3D) surface pattern present on asurface of the fibrous structure and/or on a surface of a componentmaking up the fibrous structure.

“Fibrous Structure Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unitarea of a sample reported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m².

“Ply” as used herein means an individual, integral fibrous structure.

“Plies” as used herein means two or more individual, integral fibrousstructures disposed in a substantially contiguous, face-to-facerelationship with one another, forming a multi-ply sanitary tissueproduct. It is also contemplated that an individual, integral fibrousstructure can effectively form a multi-ply sanitary tissue product, forexample, by being folded on itself

“Common Intensive Property” as used herein means an intensive propertypossessed by more than one region within a fibrous structure. Suchintensive properties of the fibrous structure include, withoutlimitation, density, basis weight, thickness, and combinations thereof.For example, if density is a common intensive property of two or moredifferent regions, a value of the density in one region can differ froma value of the density in one or more other regions. Regions (such as,for example, a first region and a second region and/or a continuousnetwork region and at least one of a plurality of discrete zones) areidentifiable areas visually discernible and/or visually distinguishablefrom one another by distinct intensive properties.

“X,” “Y,” and “Z” designate a conventional system of Cartesiancoordinates, wherein mutually perpendicular coordinates “X” and “Y”define a reference X-Y plane, and “Z” defines an orthogonal to the X-Yplane. “Z-direction” designates any direction perpendicular to the X-Yplane. Analogously, the term “Z-dimension” means a dimension, distance,or parameter measured parallel to the Z-direction. When an element, suchas, for example, a molding member curves or otherwise deplanes, the X-Yplane follows the configuration of the element.

“Substantially continuous” or “continuous” region refers to an areawithin which one can connect any two points by an uninterrupted linerunning entirely within that area throughout the line's length. That is,the substantially continuous region has a substantial “continuity” inall directions parallel to the first plane and is terminated only atedges of that region. The term “substantially,” in conjunction withcontinuous, is intended to indicate that while an absolute continuity ispreferred, minor deviations from the absolute continuity may betolerable as long as those deviations do not appreciably affect theperformance of the fibrous structure (or a molding member) as designedand intended.

“Substantially semi-continuous” or “semi-continuous” region refers anarea which has “continuity” in all, but at least one, directionsparallel to the first plane, and in which area one cannot connect anytwo points by an uninterrupted line running entirely within that areathroughout the line's length. The semi-continuous framework may havecontinuity only in one direction parallel to the first plane. By analogywith the continuous region, described above, while an absolutecontinuity in all, but at least one, directions is preferred, minordeviations from such a continuity may be tolerable as long as thosedeviations do not appreciably affect the performance of the fibrousstructure.

“Discontinuous” or “discrete” regions or zones refer to discrete, andseparated from one another areas or zones that are discontinuous in alldirections parallel to the first plane.

“Molding member” is a structural element that can be used as a supportfor the mixture of filaments and solid additives that can be depositedthereon during a process of making a fibrous structure, and as a formingunit to form (or “mold”) a desired microscopical geometry of a fibrousstructure. The molding member may comprise any element that has theability to impart a three-dimensional pattern to the fibrous structurebeing produced thereon, and includes, without limitation, a stationaryplate, a belt, a cylinder/roll, a woven fabric, and a band.

“Osmotic material” as used herein is a material that absorbs liquids bytransfer of the liquids across the periphery of the material forming agelatinous substrance, which imbibes the liquids and tightly holds theliquids. In one example, osmotic materials retain greater than 5 timestheir weight of deionized water when subjected to centrifugal forces ofless than or equal to 3000 G's for 10 to 15 minutes. In comparison,typically capillary absorbents retain about 1 times their weight undersimilar conditions. Non-limiting examples of osmotic materials includecrosslinked polyacrylic acids and/or crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose.

“Osmotic material-free” as used herein with respect to a fibrousstructure and/or article means that the fibrous structure and/or articlecontains less than an amount of osmotic material that results in thefibrous structure and/or article exhibiting a VFS of greater than 11 g/gas measured according to the Vertical Full Sheet (VFS) Test Methoddescribed herein. In one example, an osmotic material-free fibrousstructure comprises 0% by dry weight of the fibrous structure and/orarticle of osmotic material.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, for example,“an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber” is understood to mean one or moreof the material that is claimed or described.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are inreference to the active level of that component or composition, and areexclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products,which may be present in commercially available sources.

Article

An article of the present invention comprises one or more and/or two ormore and/or three or more and/or four or more fibrous webs (fibrous webplies), which comprise one or more fibrous structures, according to thepresent invention.

It has unexpectedly been found that the arrangement of the fibrousstructures and/or fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) within the articlesof the present invention and/or type of fibrous structures and/or typeof fibrous elements, for example filaments and/or fibers, within thearticles of the present invention result in the article of the presentinvention exhibiting novel properties, such as bulk and/or absorbentproperties without negatively impacting the softness and/or flexibilityand/or stiffness of the articles.

In one example, the articles of the present invention may comprisedifferent combinations of fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) and/orfibrous structures and/or fibrous elements. For example, the articles ofthe present invention may comprise different combinations (associations)of wet-laid fibrous structures, for example 100% by weight of fibers,such as pulp fibers, for example wood pulp fibers (e.g., cellulosic woodpulp fibers) and co-formed fibrous structures, for example a mixture offilaments and fibers, such as polypropylene filaments and pulp fibers,such as wood pulp fibers (e.g., cellulosic wood pulp fibers), whichallows for the creation of both wet and dry bulk, while maintaining asoft and/or flexibility and/or non-stiff sheet. This unique combinationof properties is afforded, in this case, by the use of the co-formedfibrous structure, in which continuous filaments are combined withfibers in a way that the resultant bulk density of the sheet is verylow. This low bulk density is maintained even when wet due the lack ofcollapse of the article, as the continuous filaments are not subject towater induced collapse. In contrast, such bulk in wet-laid fibrousstructures is created via hydrogen bonding of the fibers within thewet-laid fibrous structure, which collapse if dry forming, such asembossing and/or microselfing, is used to create a soft fibrousstructure with dry bulk (resulting in low wet bulk), or will be stiff ifwet forming, such as forming the wet-laid fibrous structure on a moldingmember and/or subjecting the wet-laid fibrous structure to wetmicrocontraction during forming, is used to create a dry bulk that isresilient when wet.

In one example, the articles of the present invention comprise less than50% and/or less than 40% and/or less than 30% and/or less than 25%and/or less than 20% and/or less than 15% and/or greater than 0% and/orgreater than 5% by weight of filaments, for example thermoplasticfilaments such as polyolefin filaments, for example polypropylenefilaments.

In another example, the articles of the present invention allow for theoptimization of different fibrous structures and/or fibrous webs(fibrous web plies) for different characteristics and/or properties. Oneexample of this is how a very low density, high bulk co-formed fibrousstructure that is strong can be placed with a wet formed, high bulkwet-laid fibrous structure that is very absorbent. The resultant articleis one which is both highly absorbent, very compressible, and able tospring back after compression. This results in a spongelike articlewhich is resilient under compression yet highly absorbent like a papertowel. Another example, of this is how a very low density, high bulkco-formed fibrous structure can be placed with a wet formed, high bulkwet-laid fibrous structure. The resultant article exhibits high bulkvalues when dry, are compressible under load and rebound when the loadis relieved. Additionally, the resultant article exhibits high bulk,compressibility, and recovery when wet, due to the wet formed nature ofthe wet-laid fibrous structure and the co-formed fibrous structure,which is impervious to wet collapse.

In another example, the articles of the present invention exhibit veryhigh sheet and/or roll bulk without negatively impacting softness. Thishigh bulk can be achieved through multiple inner fibrous structuresand/or fibrous webs (fibrous web plies), with the interior fibrousstructures and/or fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) comprised of highloft, pin-holed wet-laid fibrous structures. Co-formed fibrousstructures, which contain continuous, thermoplastic filaments and pulpfibers, enable the use of high loft wet-laid fibrous structures becausethe filaments are used for strength (especially when wet). Furthermore,the commingled nature of the filaments and fibers within the co-formedfibrous structures allows for very high bulk fibrous structures that areboth absorbent and soft, as individual fibers are commingled within anetwork of continuous filaments. Articles like these are very difficultto make via other technologies such as solely wet-laid technology due tothe fact that the fibers, such as pulp fibers, must impart strength andbulk and absorbency. These different demands in the past have causedproduct developers to optimize for some attributes at the expense ofothers.

In still another example, the articles of the present invention exhibitvery high absorbencies without compromising softness of the article.This is achieved through the heterogenous composition of the article;namely, the combination of at least two different fibrous structures,for example at least one co-formed fibrous structure and at least onewet-laid fibrous structure. To allow for high absorbencies, wet-laidfibrous structure making process choices such as fiber furnish mix,fiber refining levels, and molding member, for example belt design uponwhich the wet-laid fibrous structure is formed, can be chosen to createa lofty, high absorbent capacity wet-laid fibrous structure that is softand low in strength. The filaments, for example polypropylene filaments,present in the co-formed fibrous structure is relied upon to deliver thestrength of the article, while still being soft and/or flexible and/ornon-stiff both wet and dry. Additionally, the interspersion of fibers,for example pulp fibers, with the filaments within the co-formed fibrousstructure adds to the soft, velvet-like hand feel of the article.

In yet another example, the articles of the present invention exhibitvery high absorbencies without compromising strength of the article.This is achieved through the heterogenous composition of the article;namely, the combination of at least two different fibrous structures,for example at least one co-formed fibrous structure and at least onewet-laid fibrous structure. The wet-laid structure can be optimized forhigh absorbent capacities and/or rates without having to compromise tomaintain strength. To allow for high absorbencies, wet-laid fibrousstructure making process choices such as fiber furnish mix, fiberrefining levels, and molding member, for example belt design upon whichthe wet-laid fibrous structure is formed, can be chosen to create alofty, high absorbent capacity wet-laid fibrous structure that is softand low in strength. The filaments, for example polypropylene filaments,present in the co-formed fibrous structure is relied upon to deliver thestrength of the article, while still being soft and/or flexible and/ornon-stiff both wet and dry. Additionally, the interspersion of fibers,for example pulp fibers, with the filaments within the co-formed fibrousstructure adds to the soft, velvet-like hand feel of the article.

In another example, the articles of the present invention exhibit highabsorbent capacity while still maintaining hand protection. This can beachieved by tailoring the density, capillary pressure, and absorbentcapacity of the different fibrous structures within the article. In oneexample, high density and capillary pressure wet-laid fibrous structureson one or both of the exterior surfaces of the article allow for rapidredistribution of water on a surface of the article, while lower densityfibrous structure, such as co-formed fibrous structures, in the interiorof the article creates storage capacity. In another example, thin, lowdensity fibrous structures on one or more of the exterior surfaces ofthe article allow for rapid acquisition of water by the inner, moredense, high capillary pressure fibrous structures, such as wet-laidfibrous structures, whose high capillary pressure structures willredistribute the water in the article and not give it back to theexterior surfaces of the article.

In still another example, the articles of the present invention exhibithigh bulk/low density without impacting the overall opacity of thearticles. This can be achieved by the combining of differential densitywet-laid fibrous structures, which have been wet formed such thatrelatively low density regions and relatively high density regions areformed in the wet-laid fibrous structure, to the extent that the lowdensity regions of the wet-laid fibrous structure have very low basisweight, to the point of making pinholes. This is normally undesirable inwet-laid fibrous structures and/or wet-laid fibrous structure makingprocesses, as the pinholes are detrimental to strength as well asopacity. When this wet-laid fibrous structure is combined with aco-formed fibrous structure the opacity significantly increases,creating a low density and high opacity article.

In yet another example, the articles of the present invention are veryreopenable while still maintaining consumer acceptable absorbentproperties. This is achieved through the combination of fibrousstructures comprising filaments and/or a mixture of filaments andfibers, and wet-laid fibrous structures. In one example, low basisweight filament-containing fibrous structures, such as scrims offilaments, for example scrims of polypropylene filaments, are arrangedon one or more of the exterior surfaces of the articles, which in turnfurther comprises one or more inner fibrous structures comprisingwet-laid fibrous structures and co-formed fibrous structures. Thiscombination of materials creates an article exhibits very high bulkabsorbency and at the same time exhibits high wet resiliency, allowingit to be easily reopened during use, especially after being wetted.

In still another example, the articles of the present invention exhibitboth high absorbent capacity and high surface drying properties. Thiscombination is achieved through the combination of fibrous structuresthat exhibit different capillary pressures. One example of such anarticle that exhibits this characteristic is an article that has one ormore wet-laid fibrous structure on one or more exterior surfaces of thearticles, along with a co-formed fibrous structure as one or more innerfibrous structures within the articles. This low density co-formedfibrous structure core of the articles creates large absorbent capacity,while the wet-laid fibrous structure on the outside of the articlesallows for consumer acceptable surface drying.

In even yet another example, the articles of the present inventionexhibit both high wet bulk and high surface drying properties. Thiscombination is achieved through the combination of fibrous structuresthat exhibit high capillary pressure with fibrous structures thatexhibit high bulk when wet. One example of such an article that exhibitsthese characteristic is one that has one or more wet-laid fibrousstructures on one or more exterior surfaces of an article, along with aco-formed fibrous structure in the center of the article. The co-formedfibrous structure core does not collapse when wetted, while the wet-laidfibrous structure on the outside of the article allows for consumeracceptable surface drying.

Non-limiting examples of articles of the present invention are describedbelow in more detail.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises three fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) a firstfibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and2B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24(mono-fibrous element fibrous structures), which function as scrims onopposite surfaces of the co-formed fibrous structure 22, 2) a secondfibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and2B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24,for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of theco-formed fibrous structure 22, and 3) a third fibrous web (fibrous webply) comprising a paper web, for example a fibrous structure 26 (amono-fibrous element fibrous structure), for example a textured fibrousstructure, for example a textured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure, positioned between andassociated with at least one and/or both of the first and second fibrouswebs, the co-formed fibrous webs 28 (co-formed fibrous web plies). Thefibrous webs may be associated with each other in one operation or inmultiple operations, such as by combining two of the fibrous webs firstand then combining the remaining fibrous web with the already combinedfibrous webs. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIG. 3 is made bycombining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 4, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises four fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) similar to thearticle shown in FIG. 3 above: 1) a first fibrous web (fibrous web ply)example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B comprising a co-formedfibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrous element fibrous structure)associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, for example twoscrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structures),which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of the co-formed fibrousstructure 22, 2) a second fibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of whichis shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22(a multi-fibrous element fibrous structure) associated with twomeltblown fibrous structures 24 (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of theco-formed fibrous structure, and 3) third and fourth fibrous webs(fibrous web plies) comprising paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrousstructures 26, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structures), for example atextured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laidfibrous structure, positioned between and associated with at least oneand/or both of the first and second fibrous webs. The fibrous webs maybe associated with each other in one operation or in multipleoperations, such as by combining two or three of the fibrous webs firstand then combining the remaining fibrous webs with the already combinedfibrous webs. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIG. 4 is made bycombining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 5, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) a fibrousweb (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2Bcomprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24,for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of theco-formed fibrous structure 22, and 2) a second fibrous web (fibrous webply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B comprising a co-formedfibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous element fibrous structure)associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24, for example a scrimlayer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) on onesurface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and a paper web, forexample a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on the opposite surface of theco-formed fibrous structure 22. The paper web, for example the wet-laidfibrous structure 26 may be further associated with a meltblown fibrousstructure 24, for example a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure) on the wet-laid fibrous structure's surfaceopposite the co-formed fibrous structure 22. The fibrous webs may beassociated with each other in one operation, such as by combining thetwo fibrous webs such that the paper web, for example the wet-laidfibrous structure 26 is positioned between the two co-formed fibrousstructures 22 in the article 20. In one example, the article 20 shown inFIG. 5 is made by combining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous webplies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 7, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) two fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6Bcomprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24,for example a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) on one surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and apaper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on theopposite surface of the fibrous structure. The paper web, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be further associated with ameltblown fibrous structure 24, for example a scrim layer of filaments,(mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) on the wet-laid fibrousstructure's surface opposite the co-formed fibrous structure 22. Thefibrous webs may be associated with each other in one operation, such asby combining the two fibrous webs such that the paper webs, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structures 26 are positioned between the twoco-formed fibrous structures 22 in the article 20. In one example, thearticle 20 shown in FIG. 7 is made by combining the pre-formed fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 8, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises a single fibrous web (fibrous web ply): 1) a fibrousweb (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9Bcomprising a paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26,such as a textured fibrous structure, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, forexample two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of thewet-laid fibrous structure 26.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 10, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) two fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS. 9A and 9Bcomprising a paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26,such as a textured fibrous structure, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, forexample two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of the paperweb, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26. In one example, thearticle 20 shown in FIG. 10 is made by combining the pre-formed fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 11, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) a firstfibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 9A and9B comprising a paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26,such as a textured fibrous structure, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, forexample two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of thewet-laid fibrous structure 26, and 2) a second fibrous web (fibrous webply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B comprising a co-formedfibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous element fibrous structure)associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24, for example twoscrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) onone surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and a paper web, forexample a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on the opposite surface of thefibrous structure. The paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrousstructure 26 may be further associated with a meltblown fibrousstructure 24, for example a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure) on the wet-laid fibrous structure's surfaceopposite the co-formed fibrous structure 22. The fibrous webs may beassociated with each other in one operation, such as by combining thetwo fibrous webs such that the paper webs, for example the wet-laidfibrous structures 26 are positioned as shown in FIG. 11. In oneexample, the article 20 shown in FIG. 11 is made by combining thepre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 12, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) a firstfibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 9A and9B comprising a paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26,such as a textured fibrous structure, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, forexample two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of thewet-laid fibrous structure 26, and 2) a second fibrous web (fibrous webply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B comprising a co-formedfibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous element fibrous structure)associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24, for example twoscrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structures),which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of the co-formed fibrousstructure 22. The fibrous webs may be associated with each other in oneoperation, such as by combining the two fibrous webs as shown in FIG.12. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIG. 12 is made by combiningthe pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 13, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises a single fibrous web (fibrous web ply): 1) a fibrousweb (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14Bcomprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24,for example a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) on one surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and apaper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on theopposite surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22. The paper web,for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be further associatedwith another co-formed fibrous structure 22 which in turn may beassociated with another meltblown fibrous structure 24, for example ascrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) suchthat the paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26 ispositioned between the two co-formed fibrous structures 22.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 15, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) two fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6Bcomprising a two different co-formed fibrous structures 22 or a variablydensity (in the z-direction) co-formed fibrous structure 28 example ofwhich is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B (multi-fibrous element fibrousstructure) associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24, forexample a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) on one surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and apaper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on theopposite surface of the fibrous structure. The paper web, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be further associated with ameltblown fibrous structure 24, for example a scrim layer of filaments,(mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) on the wet-laid fibrousstructure's surface opposite the co-formed fibrous structure 22. Thefibrous webs may be associated with each other in one operation, such asby combining the two fibrous webs such that the paper webs, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structures 26 are positioned between the twoco-formed fibrous structures 22 in the article 20. In one example, thearticle 20 shown in FIG. 15 is made by combining the pre-formed fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 17, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) two fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6Bcomprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with one meltblown fibrous structure 24,for example a scrim layer of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure) on one surface of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 and apaper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (a mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure on theopposite surface of the fibrous structure. The paper web, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be further associated with ameltblown fibrous structure 24, for example a scrim layer of filaments,(mono-fibrous element fibrous structure) on the wet-laid fibrousstructure's surface opposite the co-formed fibrous structure 22. Thefibrous webs may be associated with each other in one operation, such asby combining the two fibrous webs such that the co-formed fibrousstructures 22 are positioned between the two paper webs, for example thetwo wet-laid fibrous structures 26 in the article 20. In one example,the article 20 shown in FIG. 17 is made by combining the pre-formedfibrous webs (fibrous web plies). The article 20 shown in FIG. 17 issimilar to the article 20 shown in FIG. 7, with a different arrangementof the fibrous webs within the article 20.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 18, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises three fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) a firstfibrous web (fibrous web ply) example of which is shown in FIGS. 2A and2B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24,for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 forming a co-formed fibrous web 28, 2)second and third fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) comprising paper webs,for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), for example a textured fibrous structure, for example atextured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laidfibrous structure associated with the co-formed fibrous web 28(co-formed fibrous web plies). The paper webs, for example the wet-laidfibrous structure 26 may also be associated with one or more meltblownfibrous structures 24, for example one or more scrim layers offilaments, present on one or both of the wet-laid fibrous structure'ssurfaces. FIG. 19 shows a similar article 20 to that shown in FIG. 18except that the paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26forms at least one or both of the exterior surfaces of the article 20.In other words, the paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrousstructure 26 is not associated with a meltblown fibrous structure 24,for example not associated with a scrim layer of filaments, that formsan exterior surface of the article 20. The fibrous webs may beassociated with each other in one operation or in multiple operations,such as by combining two of the fibrous webs first and then combiningthe remaining fibrous web with the already combined fibrous webs. In oneexample, the article 20 shown in FIG. 18 is made by combining thepre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 20, an article 20 of the presentinvention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) two fibrouswebs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS. 21A and21B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrous elementfibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrous structures 24,for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructures), which function as scrims on opposite surfaces of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 forming a co-formed fibrous web 28,wherein the co-formed fibrous web 28 is associated with a paper web, forexample a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (mono-fibrous element fibrousstructure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrous structure, such as a3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure. The combined webs may beembossed in an emboss nip 33 formed by one or more patterned embossrolls 39, one or more of which may be heated. The paper web, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be associated with one or moremeltblown fibrous structures 24, for example one or more scrim layers offilaments, present on one or both of the wet-laid fibrous structure'ssurfaces. The fibrous webs may be associated with each other in oneoperation, such as by combining the fibrous webs (fibrous web plies)such that the paper webs, for example the wet-laid fibrous structures 26are positioned between the co-formed fibrous webs 28. In one example,the article 20 shown in FIG. 20 is made by combining the pre-formedfibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, an article 20 of thepresent invention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) twofibrous webs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS.23A and 23B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrouselement fibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrousstructures 24, for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structures), which function as scrims on oppositesurfaces of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 forming a co-formedfibrous web 28, wherein the co-formed fibrous web 28 is associated witha paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure. The paperwebs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 may be formed on atextured collection device 31 and passed through a nip 33 formed betweentwo rolls 41, for example a heated steel roll and a rubber roll. Thepaper web, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may beassociated with one or more meltblown fibrous structures 24, for exampleone or more scrim layers of filaments, present on one or both of thewet-laid fibrous structure's surfaces. The fibrous webs may beassociated with each other in one operation, such as by combining thefibrous webs (fibrous web plies) such that the paper webs, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structures 26 are positioned between the co-formedfibrous webs 28. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIGS. 22A and22B is made by combining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous webplies).

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, an article 20 of thepresent invention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) twofibrous webs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS.25A and 25B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrouselement fibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrousstructures 24, for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structures), which function as scrims on oppositesurfaces of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 forming a co-formedfibrous web 28, wherein the co-formed fibrous web 28 is associated witha paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure. The paperwebs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 may be formed on atextured collection device 31 and passed through a nip 33 formed betweentwo rolls 41, for example a heated steel roll and a rubber roll. Thepaper web, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may beassociated with one or more meltblown fibrous structures 24, for exampleone or more scrim layers of filaments, present on one or both of thewet-laid fibrous structure's surfaces. The fibrous webs may beassociated with each other in one operation, such as by combining thefibrous webs (fibrous web plies) such that the paper webs, for examplethe wet-laid fibrous structures 26 are positioned between the co-formedfibrous webs 28. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIGS. 24A and24B is made by combining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous webplies).

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B, an article 20 of thepresent invention comprises two fibrous webs (fibrous web plies): 1) twofibrous webs (fibrous web plies) examples of which are shown in FIGS.27A and 27B comprising a co-formed fibrous structure 22 (a multi-fibrouselement fibrous structure) associated with two meltblown fibrousstructures 24, for example two scrim layers of filaments, (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structures), which function as scrims on oppositesurfaces of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 forming a co-formedfibrous web 28, wherein the co-formed fibrous web 28 is associated witha paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 (mono-fibrouselement fibrous structure), for example a textured wet-laid fibrousstructure, such as a 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure. Thecombined webs may be embossed in an emboss nip 33 formed by one or morepatterned emboss rolls 39, one or more of which may be heated. The paperweb, for example the wet-laid fibrous structure 26 may be associatedwith one or more meltblown fibrous structures 24, for example one ormore scrim layers of filaments, present on one or both of the wet-laidfibrous structure's surfaces. The fibrous webs may be associated witheach other in one operation, such as by combining the fibrous webs(fibrous web plies) such that the paper webs, for example the wet-laidfibrous structures 26 are positioned between the co-formed fibrous webs28. In one example, the article 20 shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B is made bycombining the pre-formed fibrous webs (fibrous web plies).

Any of the meltblown fibrous structures 24 may be optional, especiallyif they represent an exterior surface of the articles 20. In oneexample, the article 20 of FIG. 11 may be void of the meltblown fibrousstructure 24 forming the exterior surface of the article 20, which isassociated with the paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrousstructure 26.

In another example, the combined fibrous webs shown in FIG. 23A may becombined with a paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26to form an article 20. The paper web, for example the wet-laid fibrousstructure 26 may be void of a meltblown fibrous structure 24 or maycomprise one or more, two or more, meltblown fibrous structures 24 on atleast one exterior surface and/or on both exterior surfaces (oppositesurfaces).

The articles of the present invention and/or any fibrous webs of thepresent invention may be subjected to any post-processing operationssuch as embossing operations, printing operations, tuft-generatingoperations, thermal bonding operations, ultrasonic bonding operations,perforating operations, surface treatment operations such as applicationof lotions, silicones and/or other materials and mixtures thereof.

Physical Properties of Articles of the Present Invention

The articles of the present inventions due their fibrous structuresand/or the arrangement of the fibrous structures in the articles exhibitnovel physical properties, for example absorbent, strength, fluidretention, surface drying, thickness, bulk, compressibility,flexibility, and resiliency, and novel combinations of two or more ofthese properties.

Table 1 below shows data from inventive samples and prior art samples.

TABLE 1 Continuous % Commingled Paper BW Filament Continuous FilamentWeb Specifics (gsm) Containing Filament & Fiber Containing INVENTION A82 Yes 14.9% Yes Yes INVENTION B 81.6 Yes 12.9% Yes Yes INVENTION C 84.6Yes 7.7% Yes Yes INVENTION D 84.0 Yes 15.2% Yes Yes INVENTION E 58.5 Yes20.9% Yes Yes Prior Art Bounty 53.8 No 0 No Yes Prior Art Viva (DRC)59.8 No 0 No Yes Prior Art Brawny (Fabric 51.5 No 0 No Yes TAD) PriorArt Sparkle (Conv) 49.1 No 0 No Yes Prior Art with Continuous 58.7 Yes21.3% Yes No Filament Prior Art with Continuous 61.6 Yes 20.3% Yes NoFilament Prior Art with Continuous 55.4 Yes 22.6% Yes No FilamentFilament and PVD % total PVD % total PVD % total commingled volume2.5-30 volume >225 volume 301-600 Specifics outward facing micron micronmicron INVENTION A Yes 6.3% 33.5% 12.0% INVENTION B No 6.8% 45.7% 26.0%INVENTION C No 7.0% 43.7% 27.8% INVENTION D Yes 8.5% 24.1% 10.0%INVENTION E Yes 0.5% 38.0% 9.1% Prior Art No 12.3% 42.6% 22.7% BountyPrior Art Viva No 12.3% 5.7% 2.1% (DRC) Prior Art No 12.6% 34.0% 10.9%Brawny (Fabric TAD) Prior Art No 10.7% 59.1% 35.2% Sparkle (Conv) PriorArt with Yes 0.4% 0.3% 0.0% Continuous Filament Prior Art with Yes 0.3%10.0% 5.2% Continuous Filament Prior Art with Yes 6.1% 9.6% 4.2%Continuous Filament Plate Stiffness Flex Calculated Plate corrected forRigidity Flex Stiffness Basis Weight Overhang Rigidity Specifics (N *mm) (N * mg/M) Avg. (cm) (mg * cm) Bending Modulus INVENTION A 14.70.180 10.74 1270 4.69 INVENTION B 16.3 0.200 12.7 2070 6.12 INVENTION C14.3 0.169 12.7 2156 5.56 INVENTION D 13.7 0.163 10.5 1219 7.36INVENTION E 8.4 0.144 8.8 498 5.07 Prior Art 11.3 0.210 11.2 939 10.18Bounty Prior Art 4.5 0.075 5.5 124 4.03 Viva (DRC) Prior Art 13.9 0.27010.6 759 17.28 Brawny (Fabric TAD) Prior Art 15.6 0.317 11.8 1011 26.35Sparkle (Conv) Prior Art 6.0 0.102 6.7 220 4.74 with Continuous FilamentPrior Art 3.6 0.059 5.3 116 2.55 with Continuous Filament Prior Art 7.10.129 8.3 395 22.19 with Continuous Filament Dry Thick Wet Thick EmtecDry Thick Compressive Wet Thick Compressive Specifics TS7 CompressionRecovery Compression Recovery INVENTION A 10.65 1408 1022 3646 1602INVENTION B 15.63 1007 812 3251 1709 INVENTION C 17.33 1271 989 49782125 INVENTION D 10.36 764 606 2399 1235 INVENTION E 11.36 1442 945 27401137 Prior Art 16.13 627 469 1792 798 Bounty Prior Art 16.71 246 187 429159 Viva (DRC) Prior Art 25.07 418 320 658 291 Brawny (Fabric TAD) PriorArt 25.03 314 208 361 47 Sparkle (Conv) Prior Art 9.01 — — — — withContinuous Filament Prior Art 9.5 556 434 795 468 with ContinuousFilament Prior Art 11.06 235 192 412 233 with Continuous Filament DryDry Low Load Mid Load Tensile Tensile Wet Wet Dry MD Dry CD ModulusModulus Specifics Resiliency Resiliency TEA TEA MD CD INVENTION A 0.970.76 160 57 2080 983 INVENTION B 1.14 0.99 150 71 1755 1766 INVENTION C1.14 0.90 106 47 1255 1369 INVENTION D 1.15 0.92 155 61 2550 1621INVENTION E 0.96 0.65 124 72 1945 597 Prior Art 1.08 0.85 94 51 18913438 Bounty Prior Art 0.91 0.67 80 44 685 856 Viva (DRC) Prior Art 0.870.68 80 37 2143 3656 Sparkle (Conv) Prior Art 0.54 0.20 91 24 2710 6551Bounty Basic Prior Art — — 143 124 1469 406 with Continuous FilamentPrior Art 0.92 0.77 119 103 665.8 363 with Continuous Filament Prior Art0.95 0.75 166 128 3479 1216.4 with Continuous Filament Geo Mean Dry WetDry Tensile Wet Wet Burst Dry Burst Burst/ Modulus Burst BEA Burst (BEA)Dry Specifics (g/cm * %) (g) (g-in/in²) (g) (g-in/in²) Burst INVENTION A1430 760 34.6 978 33.4 0.78 INVENTION B 1760 733 26.1 1132 31.8 0.65INVENTION C 1311 510 17.9 897 24.4 0.57 INVENTION D 2033 793 37.4 104731.9 0.76 INVENTION E 1077 639 27.9 802 27.9 0.80 Prior Art 2550 437 8.21032 18.9 0.42 Bounty Prior Art 765 275 7.03 626 18.2 0.44 Viva (DRC)Prior Art 2799 295 5.82 774 14.2 0.38 Brawny (Fabric TAD) Prior Art 4214177 3.41 648 10.8 0.27 Sparkle (Conv) Prior Art 772 786 39.7 938 51.80.84 with Continuous Filament Prior Art 492 745 28.48 736 27.3 1.01 withContinuous Filament Prior Art 2057 840 30.8 798 34.2 1.05 withContinuous Filament Wet TOTAL BEA/ Wet Wet DRY Dry MD MD Wet CD Wet CDWet/Dry TENSILE Specifics BEA (g/in) (TEA) (g/in) (TEA) CD TEA (g/in)INVENTION A 1.04 486 130 196 84.4 1.477 1190 INVENTION B 0.82 196 28.3291 37.9 0.531 1586 INVENTION C 0.73 340 47.8 182 17.5 0.376 1227INVENTION D 1.17 598 107 281 92.8 1.511 1370 INVENTION E 1.00 482 129239 126 1.743 994 Prior Art 0.43 410 23.56 278 14.82 0.293 2203 BountyPrior Art 0.39 332 35.6 186 16.6 0.379 856 Viva (DRC) Prior Art 0.41 26918.1 252 9.8 0.262 1614 Brawny (Fabric TAD) Prior Art 0.32 276 12.6 1443.5 0.145 1685 Sparkle (Conv) Prior Art 0.77 417 188.0 257 158.0 1.274660 with Continuous Filament Prior Art 1.04 425.6 125.1 238.4 93.8 0.911750 with Continuous Filament Prior Art 0.90 523 188.02 290.4 137.021.072 796 with Continuous Filament Wet Geo Total Mean Tensile Wet HFSVFS CRT CRT CRT Specifics (g/in) TEA g/g g/g g/sec g/in² g/g INVENTION A721 127 24.5 14.3 0.43 0.79 21.07 INVENTION B 688 19 23.0 9.1 0.58 0.6819.63 INVENTION C 517 24 14.5 9.8 0.21 0.47 12.09 INVENTION D 521 1318.0 8.3 0.25 0.48 14.30 INVENTION E 420 7 13.1 5.4 0.33 0.3 9.45 PriorArt 674 172 16.6 11.8 0.33 13.30 Bounty Prior Art 664 108 16.7 11.6 0.270.59 14.03 Viva (DRC) Prior Art 813 161 13.6 9.5 0.21 0.42 11.21 Brawny(Fabric TAD) Prior Art 721 127 24.5 14.3 0.43 0.79 21.07 Sparkle (Conv)Prior Art 688 19 23.0 9.1 0.58 0.68 19.63 with Continuous Filament PriorArt 517 24 14.5 9.8 0.21 0.47 12.09 with Continuous Filament Prior Art521 13 18.0 8.3 0.25 0.48 14.30 with Continuous Filament Wet Dry Wet WetWeb- Liquid Caliper Caliper Bulk Bulk Web Break- Specifics SST (mils)(mils) (cc/g) (cc/g) CoF Through INVENTION A 1.46 58.3 41.2 18.1 12.80.82 2.66 INVENTION B 2.3 62.8 50.9 19.5 15.8 0.98 3.22 INVENTION C 2.8665.7 56.5 19.7 17.0 2.28 0.64 INVENTION D 1.51 49.5 40.9 15.0 12.4 0.873.38 INVENTION E 1.66 41.6 34.3 18.1 14.9 — 2.29 Prior Art 1.8 40.7233.0 19.2 15.6 1.92 0.74 Bounty Prior Art 0.57 28.21 21.4 12.0 9.1 2.022.16 Viva (DRC) Prior Art — 31.8 23.9 15.7 11.8 1.96 0.62 Brawny (FabricTAD) Prior Art 0.40 30.4 14.7 15.7 7.6 1.18 2.56 Sparkle (Conv) PriorArt 0.69 32.4 27.6 14.0 11.9 — 2.86 with Continuous Filament Prior Art0.74 32.18 25.9 13.3 10.7 1.15 1.44 with Continuous Filament Prior Art0.48 23.54 21.66 10.8 9.9 0.68 2.18 with Continuous Filament

In addition to or alternatively, the articles, for example articlescomprising a co-formed fibrous structure and optionally other fibrousstructures, of the present invention, when in roll form, may exhibitnovel roll properties. In one example, an article of the presentinvention, for example an article comprising a co-formed fibrousstructure, may exhibit a Roll Firmness at 7.00 N of less than 11.5and/or less 11.0 and/or less than 9.5 and/or less than 9.0 and/or lessthan 8.5 and/or less than 8.0 and/or less than 7.5 mm as measuredaccording to the Roll Firmness Test Method described herein.

In one example, a co-formed fibrous structure and/or a co-formed fibrousweb (co-formed fibrous web ply) in roll form may exhibit a roll firmnessat 7.00 N of of less than 11.5 and/or less 11.0 and/or less than 9.5and/or less than 9.0 and/or less than 8.5 and/or less than 8.0 and/orless than 7.5 mm as measured according to the Roll Firmness Test Methoddescribed herein.

Fibrous Webs (Fibrous Web Plies)

Non-limiting examples of fibrous webs (fibrous web plies) according tothe present invention comprise one or more and/or two or more and/orthree or more and/or four or more and/or five or more and/or six or moreand/or seven or more fibrous structures that are associated with oneanother, such as by compression bonding (for example by passing througha nip formed by two rollers), thermal bonding (for example by passingthrough a nip formed by two rollers where at least one of the rollers isheated to a temperature of at least about 120° C. (250° F.)),microselfing, needle punching, and gear rolling, to form a unitarystructure.

Wet-Laid Fibrous Structure (an example of a Mono-Fibrous Element FibrousStructure)

The wet-laid fibrous structure comprises a plurality of fibrouselements, for example a plurality of fibers. In one example, thewet-laid fibrous structure comprises a plurality of naturally-occurringfibers, for example pulp fibers, such as wood pulp fibers (hardwoodand/or softwood pulp fibers). In another example, the wet-laid fibrousstructure comprises a plurality of non-naturally occurring fibers(synthetic fibers), for example staple fibers, such as rayon, lyocell,polyester fibers, polycaprolactone fibers, polylactic acid fibers,polyhydroxyalkanoate fibers, and mixtures thereof.

The mono-fibrous element fibrous structure may comprise one or morefilaments, such as polyolefin filaments, for example polypropyleneand/or polyethylene filaments, starch filaments, starch derivativefilaments, cellulose filaments, polyvinyl alcohol filaments.

The wet-laid fibrous structure of the present invention may besingle-ply or multi-ply web material. In other words, the wet-laidfibrous structures of the present invention may comprise one or morewet-laid fibrous structures, the same or different from each other solong as one of them comprises a plurality of pulp fibers.

In one example, the wet-laid fibrous structure comprises a wet laidfibrous structure ply, such as a through-air-dried fibrous structureply, for example an uncreped, through-air-dried fibrous structure plyand/or a creped, through-air-dried fibrous structure ply.

In another example, the wet-laid fibrous structure and/or wet laidfibrous structure ply may exhibit substantially uniform density.

In another example, the wet-laid fibrous structure and/or wet laidfibrous structure ply may comprise a surface pattern. In one example,the surface pattern comprises a one or more relatively high densityregions and one or more relatively low density regions. In anotherexample, the surface pattern comprises one or more relatively highelevation regions and one or more relatively low elevation regions. Inyet another example, the surface pattern comprises one or morerelatively high basis weight regions and one or more relatively lowbasis weight regions. In still another example, the surface pattern is anon-random, repeating pattern, which may comprise a plurality ofdiscrete regions dispersed throughout a continuous network. At least aportion of the plurality of discrete regions may exhibit a value of acommon intensive property (such as density, bulk, and/or basis weight)that is different from the value of the common intensive propertyexhibited by the continuous network.

In one example, the wet laid fibrous structure ply comprises aconventional wet-pressed fibrous structure ply. The wet laid fibrousstructure ply may comprise a fabric-creped fibrous structure ply. Thewet laid fibrous structure ply may comprise a belt-creped fibrousstructure ply.

In still another example, the wet-laid fibrous structure may comprise anair laid fibrous structure ply.

The wet-laid fibrous structures of the present invention may comprise asurface softening agent or be void of a surface softening agent, such assilicones, quaternary ammonium compounds, lotions, and mixtures thereof.In one example, the sanitary tissue product is a non-lotioned wet-laidfibrous structure.

The wet-laid fibrous structures of the present invention may comprisetrichome fibers or may be void of trichome fibers.

Patterned Molding Members

The wet-laid fibrous structures of the present invention may be formedon patterned molding members that result in the wet-laid fibrousstructures of the present invention. In one example, the pattern moldingmember comprises a non-random repeating pattern. In another example, thepattern molding member comprises a resinous pattern.

In one example, the wet-laid fibrous structure comprises a texturedsurface. In another example, the wet-laid fibrous structure comprises asurface comprising a three-dimensional (3D) pattern, for example a 3Dpattern imparted to the wet-laid fibrous structure by a patternedmolding member. Non-limiting examples of suitable patterned moldingmembers include patterned felts, patterned forming wires, patternedrolls, patterned fabrics, and patterned belts utilized in conventionalwet-pressed papermaking processes, air-laid papermaking processes,and/or wet-laid papermaking processes that produce 3D patterned sanitarytissue products and/or 3D patterned fibrous structure plies employed insanitary tissue products. Other non-limiting examples of such patternedmolding members include through-air-drying fabrics andthrough-air-drying belts utilized in through-air-drying papermakingprocesses that produce through-air-dried fibrous structures, for example3D patterned through-air dried fibrous structures, and/orthrough-air-dried sanitary tissue products comprising the wet-laidfibrous structure.

A “reinforcing element” may be a desirable (but not necessary) elementin some examples of the molding member, serving primarily to provide orfacilitate integrity, stability, and durability of the molding membercomprising, for example, a resinous material. The reinforcing elementcan be fluid-permeable or partially fluid-permeable, may have a varietyof embodiments and weave patterns, and may comprise a variety ofmaterials, such as, for example, a plurality of interwoven yarns(including Jacquard-type and the like woven patterns), a felt, aplastic, other suitable synthetic material, or any combination thereof.

Non-limiting examples of patterned molding members suitable for use inthe present invention comprises a through-air-drying belts. Thethrough-air-drying belts may comprise a plurality of continuousknuckles, discrete knuckles, semi-continuous knuckles and/or continuouspillows, discrete pillows, and semi-continuous pillows formed by resinarranged in a non-random, repeating pattern supported on a supportfabric comprising filaments, such as a forming fabric. The resin ispatterned such that deflection conduits that contain little to knowresin present in the pattern and result in the fibrous structure beingformed on the patterned molding member having one or more pillow regions(low density regions) compared to the knuckle regions that are impartedto the fibrous structure by the resin areas.

Non-Limiting Examples of Making Wet-Laid Fibrous Structures

In one non-limiting example, the wet-laid fibrous structure is made on amolding member of the present invention. The method may be a paper web,for example a fibrous structure making process that uses a cylindricaldryer such as a Yankee (a Yankee-process) (creped) or it may be aYankeeless process (uncreped) as is used to make substantially uniformdensity and/or uncreped wet-laid fibrous structures (fibrousstructures).

In one example, a process for making a paper web, for example a fibrousstructure according to the present invention comprises supplying anaqueous dispersion of fibers (a fibrous or fiber furnish or fiberslurry) to a headbox which can be of any convenient design. From theheadbox the aqueous dispersion of fibers is delivered to a firstforaminous member (forming wire) which is typically a Fourdrinier wire,to produce an embryonic fibrous structure.

The embryonic fibrous structure is brought into contact with a patternedmolding member, such as a 3D patterned through-air-drying belt. While incontact with the patterned molding member, the embryonic fibrousstructure will be deflected, rearranged, and/or further dewatered. Thiscan be accomplished by applying differential speeds and/or pressures.

After the embryonic fibrous structure has been associated with thepatterned molding member, fibers within the embryonic fibrous structureare deflected into pillows (“deflection conduits”) present in thepatterned molding member. In one example of this process step, there isessentially no water removal from the embryonic fibrous structurethrough the deflection conduits after the embryonic fibrous structurehas been associated with the patterned molding member but prior to thedeflecting of the fibers into the deflection conduits. Further waterremoval from the embryonic fibrous structure can occur during and/orafter the time the fibers are being deflected into the deflectionconduits. Water removal from the embryonic fibrous structure maycontinue until the consistency of the embryonic fibrous structureassociated with patterned molding member is increased to from about 25%to about 35%. Once this consistency of the embryonic fibrous structureis achieved, then the embryonic fibrous structure can be referred to asan intermediate fibrous structure. As noted, water removal occurs bothduring and after deflection; this water removal may result in a decreasein fiber mobility in the embryonic web material. This decrease in fibermobility may tend to fix and/or freeze the fibers in place after theyhave been deflected and rearranged. Of course, the drying of the webmaterial in a later step in the process of this invention serves to morefirmly fix and/or freeze the fibers in position.

Any convenient means conventionally known in the papermaking art can beused to dry the intermediate fibrous structure. Examples of suchsuitable drying process include subjecting the intermediate fibrousstructure to conventional and/or flow-through dryers and/or Yankeedryers.

In one example of a drying process, the intermediate fibrous structuremay first pass through an optional predryer. This predryer can be aconventional flow-through dryer (hot air dryer) well known to thoseskilled in the art. Optionally, the predryer can be a so-calledcapillary dewatering apparatus. In such an apparatus, the intermediatefibrous structure passes over a sector of a cylinder havingpreferential-capillary-size pores through its cylindrical-shaped porouscover. Optionally, the predryer can be a combination capillarydewatering apparatus and flow-through dryer. The quantity of waterremoved in the predryer may be controlled so that a predried fibrousstructure exiting the predryer has a consistency of from about 30% toabout 98%. The predried fibrous structure may be applied to a surface ofa Yankee dryer via a nip with pressure, the pattern formed by the topsurface of patterned molding member is impressed into the predried webmaterial to form a 3D patterned fibrous structure, for example a 3Dpatterned wet-laid fibrous structure of the present invention. The 3Dpatterned wet-laid fibrous structure is then adhered to the surface ofthe Yankee dryer where it can be dried to a consistency of at leastabout 95%.

The 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure can then be foreshortened bycreping the 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure with a creping bladeto remove the 3D patterned wet-laid fibrous structure from the surfaceof the Yankee dryer resulting in the production of a 3D patterned crepedwet-laid fibrous structure in accordance with the present invention. Asused herein, foreshortening refers to the reduction in length of a dry(having a consistency of at least about 90% and/or at least about 95%)web material which occurs when energy is applied to the dry web materialin such a way that the length of the dry web material is reduced and thefibers in the dry web material are rearranged with an accompanyingdisruption of fiber-fiber bonds. Foreshortening can be accomplished inany of several well-known ways. One common method of foreshortening iscreping. Another method of foreshortening that is used to make thewet-laid fibrous structures of the present invention is wetmicrocontraction. Further, the wet-laid fibrous structure may besubjected to post processing steps such as calendaring, tuft generatingoperations, and/or embossing and/or converting.

Co-Formed Fibrous Structures

The co-formed fibrous structures of the present invention comprise aplurality of filaments and a plurality of solid additives. The filamentsand the solid additives may be commingled together. In one example, thefibrous structure is a coform fibrous structure comprising filaments andsolid additives. The filaments may be present in the fibrous structuresof the present invention at a level of less than 90% and/or less than80% and/or less than 65% and/or less than 50% and/or greater than 5%and/or greater than 10% and/or greater than 20% and/or from about 10% toabout 50% and/or from about 25% to about 45% by weight of the fibrousstructure on a dry basis.

The solid additives may be present in the fibrous structures of thepresent invention at a level of greater than 10% and/or greater than 25%and/or greater than 50% and/or less than 100% and/or less than 95%and/or less than 90% and/or less than 85% and/or from about 30% to about95% and/or from about 50% to about 85% by weight of the fibrousstructure on a dry basis.

The filaments and solid additives may be present in the fibrousstructures of the present invention at a weight ratio of filaments tosolid additive of greater than 10:90 and/or greater than 20:80 and/orless than 90:10 and/or less than 80:20 and/or from about 25:75 to about50:50 and/or from about 30:70 to about 45:55. In one example, thefilaments and solid additives are present in the fibrous structures ofthe present invention at a weight ratio of filaments to solid additivesof greater than 0 but less than 1.

In one example, the fibrous structures of the present invention exhibita basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 1000 gsm and/or from about10 gsm to about 500 gsm and/or from about 15 gsm to about 400 gsm and/orfrom about 15 gsm to about 300 gsm as measured according to the BasisWeight Test Method described herein. In another example, the fibrousstructures of the present invention exhibit a basis weight of from about10 gsm to about 200 gsm and/or from about 20 gsm to about 150 gsm and/orfrom about 25 gsm to about 125 gsm and/or from about 30 gsm to about 100gsm and/or from about 30 gsm to about 80 gsm as measured according tothe Basis Weight Test Method described herein. In still another example,the fibrous structures of the present invention exhibit a basis weightof from about 80 gsm to about 1000 gsm and/or from about 125 gsm toabout 800 gsm and/or from about 150 gsm to about 500 gsm and/or fromabout 150 gsm to about 300 gsm as measured according to the Basis WeightTest Method described herein.

In one example, the fibrous structure of the present invention comprisesa core component. A “core component” as used herein means a fibrousstructure comprising a plurality of filaments and optionally a pluralityof solid additives. In one example, the core component is a coformfibrous structure comprising a plurality of filaments and a plurality ofsolid additives, for example pulp fibers. In one example, the corecomponent is the component that exhibits the greatest basis weight withthe fibrous structure of the present invention. In one example, thetotal core components present in the fibrous structures of the presentinvention exhibit a basis weight that is greater than 50% and/or greaterthan 55% and/or greater than 60% and/or greater than 65% and/or greaterthan 70% and/or less than 100% and/or less than 95% and/or less than 90%of the total basis weight of the fibrous structure of the presentinvention as measured according to the Basis Weight Test Methoddescribed herein. In another example, the core component exhibits abasis weight of greater than 12 gsm and/or greater than 14 gsm and/orgreater than 16 gsm and/or greater than 18 gsm and/or greater than 20gsm and/or greater than 25 gsm as measured according to the Basis WeightTest Method described herein.

“Consolidated region” as used herein means a region within a fibrousstructure where the filaments and optionally the solid additives havebeen compressed, compacted, and/or packed together with pressure andoptionally heat (greater than 150° F.) to strengthen the region comparedto the same region in its unconsolidated state or a separate regionwhich did not see the compression or compacting pressure. In oneexample, a region is consolidated by forming unconsolidated regionswithin a fibrous structure on a patterned molding member and passing theunconsolidated regions within the fibrous structure while on thepatterned molding member through a pressure nip, such as a heated metalanvil roll (about 275° F.) and a rubber anvil roll with pressure tocompress the unconsolidated regions into one or more consolidatedregions. In one example, the filaments present in the consolidatedregion, for example on the side of the fibrous structure that iscontacted by the heated roll comprises fused filaments that create askin on the surface of the fibrous structure, which may be visible viaSEM images.

The fibrous structure of the present invention may, in addition a corecomponent, further comprise a scrim component. “Scrim component” as usedherein means a fibrous structure comprising a plurality of filaments. Inone example, the total scrim components present in the fibrousstructures of the present invention exhibit a basis weight that is lessthan 25% and/or less than 20% and/or less than 15% and/or less than 10%and/or less than 7% and/or less than 5% and/or greater than 0% and/orgreater than 1% of the total basis weight of the fibrous structure ofthe present invention as measured according to the Basis Weight TestMethod described herein. In another example, the scrim componentexhibits a basis weight of 10 gsm or less and/or less than 10 gsm and/orless than 8 gsm and/or less than 6 gsm and/or greater than 5 gsm and/orless than 4 gsm and/or greater than 0 gsm and/or greater than 1 gsm asmeasured according to the Basis Weight Test Method described herein.

In one example, at least one of the core components of the fibrousstructure comprises a plurality of solid additives, for example pulpfibers, such as comprise wood pulp fibers and/or non-wood pulp fibers.

In one example, at least one of the core components of the fibrousstructure comprises a plurality of core filaments. In another example,at least one of the core components comprises a plurality of solidadditives and a plurality of the core filaments. In one example, thesolid additives and the core filaments are present in a layeredorientation within the core component. In one example, the corefilaments are present as a layer between two solid additive layers. Inanother example, the solid additives and the core filaments are presentin a coform layer. At least one of the core filaments comprises apolymer, for example a thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyolefin. Thepolyolefin may be selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene,polyethylene, and mixtures thereof. In another example, thethermoplastic polymer of the core filament may comprise a polyester.

In one example, at least one of the scrim components is adjacent to atleast one of the core components within the fibrous structure. Inanother example, at least one of the core components is positionedbetween two scrim components within the fibrous structure.

In one example, at least one of the scrim components of the fibrousstructure of the present invention comprises a plurality of scrimfilaments, for example scrim filaments, wherein the scrim filamentscomprise a polymer, for example a thermoplastic and/or hydroxyl polymeras described above with reference to the core components.

In one example, at least one of the scrim filaments exhibits an averagefiber diameter of less than 50 and/or less than 25 and/or less than 10and/or at least 1 and/or greater than 1 and/or greater than 3 μm asmeasured according to the Average Diameter Test Method described herein.

The average fiber diameter of the core filaments is less than 250 and/orless than 200 and/or less than 150 and/or less than 100 and/or less than50 and/or less than 30 and/or less than 25 and/or less than 10 and/orgreater than 1 and/or greater than 3 μm as measured according to theAverage Diameter Test Method described herein.

In one example, the fibrous structures of the present invention maycomprise any suitable amount of filaments and any suitable amount ofsolid additives. For example, the fibrous structures may comprise fromabout 10% to about 70% and/or from about 20% to about 60% and/or fromabout 30% to about 50% by dry weight of the fibrous structure offilaments and from about 90% to about 30% and/or from about 80% to about40% and/or from about 70% to about 50% by dry weight of the fibrousstructure of solid additives, such as wood pulp fibers.

In one example, the filaments and solid additives of the presentinvention may be present in fibrous structures according to the presentinvention at weight ratios of filaments to solid additives of from atleast about 1:1 and/or at least about 1:1.5 and/or at least about 1:2and/or at least about 1:2.5 and/or at least about 1:3 and/or at leastabout 1:4 and/or at least about 1:5 and/or at least about 1:7 and/or atleast about 1:10.

In one example, the solid additives, for example wood pulp fibers, maybe selected from the group consisting of softwood kraft pulp fibers,hardwood pulp fibers, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples ofhardwood pulp fibers include fibers derived from a fiber source selectedfrom the group consisting of: Acacia, Eucalyptus, Maple, Oak, Aspen,Birch, Cottonwood, Alder, Ash, Cherry, Elm, Hickory, Poplar, Gum,Walnut, Locust, Sycamore, Beech, Catalpa, Sassafras, Gmelina, Albizia,Anthocephalus, and Magnolia. Non-limiting examples of softwood pulpfibers include fibers derived from a fiber source selected from thegroup consisting of: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Tamarack, Hemlock, Cypress, andCedar. In one example, the hardwood pulp fibers comprise tropicalhardwood pulp fibers. Non-limiting examples of suitable tropicalhardwood pulp fibers include Eucalyptus pulp fibers, Acacia pulp fibers,and mixtures thereof.

In one example, the wood pulp fibers comprise softwood pulp fibersderived from the kraft process and originating from southern climates,such as Southern Softwood Kraft (SSK) pulp fibers. In another example,the wood pulp fibers comprise softwood pulp fibers derived from thekraft process and originating from northern climates, such as NorthernSoftwood Kraft (NSK) pulp fibers.

The wood pulp fibers present in the fibrous structure may be present ata weight ratio of softwood pulp fibers to hardwood pulp fibers of from100:0 and/or from 90:10 and/or from 86:14 and/or from 80:20 and/or from75:25 and/or from 70:30 and/or from 60:40 and/or about 50:50 and/or to0:100 and/or to 10:90 and/or to 14:86 and/or to 20:80 and/or to 25:75and/or to 30:70 and/or to 40:60. In one example, the weight ratio ofsoftwood pulp fibers to hardwood pulp fibers is from 86:14 to 70:30.

In one example, the fibrous structures of the present invention compriseone or more trichomes. Non-limiting examples of suitable sources forobtaining trichomes, especially trichome fibers, are plants in theLabiatae (Lamiaceae) family commonly referred to as the mint family.Examples of suitable species in the Labiatae family include Stachysbyzantina, also known as Stachys lanata commonly referred to as lamb'sear, woolly betony, or woundwort. The term Stachys byzantina as usedherein also includes cultivars Stachys byzantina ‘Primrose Heron’,Stachys byzantina ‘Helene von Stein’ (sometimes referred to as Stachysbyzantina ‘Big Ears’), Stachys byzantina ‘Cotton Boll’, Stachysbyzantina ‘Variegated’ (sometimes referred to as Stachys byzantina‘Striped Phantom’), and Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’.

Non-limiting examples of suitable polypropylenes for making thefilaments of the present invention are commercially available fromLyondell-Basell and Exxon-Mobil.

Any hydrophobic or non-hydrophilic materials within the fibrousstructure, such as polypropylene filaments, may be surface treatedand/or melt treated with a hydrophilic modifier. Non-limiting examplesof surface treating hydrophilic modifiers include surfactants, such asTriton X-100. Non-limiting examples of melt treating hydrophilicmodifiers that are added to the melt, such as the polypropylene melt,prior to spinning filaments, include hydrophilic modifying meltadditives such as VW351 and/or S-1416 commercially available fromPolyvel, Inc. and Irgasurf commercially available from Ciba. Thehydrophilic modifier may be associated with the hydrophobic ornon-hydrophilic material at any suitable level known in the art. In oneexample, the hydrophilic modifier is associated with the hydrophobic ornon-hydrophilic material at a level of less than about 20% and/or lessthan about 15% and/or less than about 10% and/or less than about 5%and/or less than about 3% to about 0% by dry weight of the hydrophobicor non-hydrophilic material.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may include optionaladditives, each, when present, at individual levels of from about 0%and/or from about 0.01% and/or from about 0.1% and/or from about 1%and/or from about 2% to about 95% and/or to about 80% and/or to about50% and/or to about 30% and/or to about 20% by dry weight of the fibrousstructure. Non-limiting examples of optional additives include permanentwet strength agents, temporary wet strength agents, dry strength agentssuch as carboxymethylcellulose and/or starch, softening agents, lintreducing agents, opacity increasing agents, wetting agents, odorabsorbing agents, perfumes, temperature indicating agents, color agents,dyes, osmotic materials, microbial growth detection agents,antibacterial agents, liquid compositions, surfactants, and mixturesthereof.

The fibrous structure of the present invention may itself be a sanitarytissue product. It may be convolutedly wound about a core to form aroll. It may be combined with one or more other fibrous structures as aply to form a multi-ply sanitary tissue product. In one example, aco-formed fibrous structure of the present invention may be convolutedlywound about a core to form a roll of co-formed sanitary tissue product.The rolls of sanitary tissue products may also be coreless.

Method For Making A Co-formed Fibrous Structure

A non-limiting example of a method for making a fibrous structureaccording to the present invention comprises the steps of: 1) collectinga mixture of filaments and solid additives, such as fibers, for examplepulp fibers, onto a collection device, for example a through-air-dryingfabric or other fabric or a patterned molding member of the presentinvention. This step of collecting the filaments and solid additives onthe collection device may comprise subjecting the co-formed fibrousstructure while on the collection device to a consolidation step wherebythe co-formed fibrous structure, while present on the collection device,is pressed between a nip, for example a nip formed by a flat or evensurface rubber roll and a flat or even surface or patterned, heated(with oil) or unheated metal roll.

In another example, the co-forming method may comprise the steps of a)collecting a plurality of filaments onto a collection device, forexample a belt or fabric, such as a patterned molding member, to form ascrim component (a meltblown fibrous structure. The collection of theplurality of filaments onto the collection device to form the scrimcomponent may be vacuum assisted by a vacuum box.

Once the scrim component (meltblown fibrous structure) is formed on thecollection device, the next step is to mix, such as commingle, aplurality of solid additives, such as fibers, for example pulp fibers,such as wood pulp fibers, with a plurality of filaments, such as in acoform box, and collecting the mixture on the scrim component carried onthe collection device to form a core component. Optionally, anadditional scrim component (meltblown fibrous structure) comprisingfilaments may be added to the core component to sandwich the corecomponent between two scrim components.

The meltblown die used to make the meltblown fibrous structures and/orfilaments herein may be a multi-row capillary die and/or a knife-edgedie. In one example, the meltblown die is a multi-row capillary die.

NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES Example 1

A 1.0 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 comprising meltblown filaments23 is laid down upon a collection device 31, for example an AlbanyInternational Velostat170pc740 belt (“forming fabric”), (available fromAlbany International, Rochester, N.H.) traveling at 240 ft/min. Themeltblown filaments 23 of the meltblown fibrous structure 24 arecomprised of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel 51416, and 2% Ampacet 412951 and arespun from a die 25, for example a multi-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die(Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville, Wis.), at a mass flow of 28g/min and a ghm of 0.22 and is attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C.(400° F.) air. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 440 grams per minute ofKoch Industries 4725 semi-treated SSK, are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box, example of which isdescribed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2016/0355950A1 filed Dec.16, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the coformingbox, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers, are commingled withmeltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised of ablend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel 51416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die, at a ghm of 0.19 and a totalmass flow of 93.48 g/min. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with14 kg/min of about 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled)fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblownfilaments 23 are then laid on top of the already formed 1.0 gsm ofmeltblown fibrous structure 24 in the form of a co-formed fibrousstructure 22. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionas the meltblown fibrous structure 24 at 0.22 ghm and is attenuated with16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air is laid down on top of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 such that the co-formed fibrous structure22 is positioned between the first meltblown fibrous structure 24 andthe second meltblown fibrous structure 24 forming a multi-fibrousstructure. This multi-fibrous structure is then taken through a nip 33formed between a steel roll 37 and the forming fabric (collection device31), which is backed by a rubber roll 35, for example a 90 Shore Arubber roll, to form a co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous webply), an example of which is shown in FIG. 2A. The steel roll 37 in thisexample is internally heated with oil to an oil temperature of about132° C. (270° F.) and is loaded to approximately 90 PLI. The total basisweight of this co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous web ply) is18.4 gsm. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Two of these co-formed fibrous webs 28 (co-formed fibrous web plies) arethen combined on the outside of two paper webs, for example two wet-laidfibrous structures 26 (wet-laid fibrous webs or wet-laid fibrous webplies) of 21 gsm to form an article 20 according to the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 4. The paper webs, for example the wet-laidfibrous structures 26 are pre-formed on a continuous knuckle/discretepillow patterned molding member with 25% knuckle area. The knuckles ofthe paper webs, for example the wet-laid fibrous structures are facingout relative to the article 20, as are the 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrousstructures 24 (scrims), when present, relative to the article 20. Inother words, when present, the meltblown fibrous structures 24 form atleast one exterior surface of the article 20. The four fibrous webs(fibrous web plies) (co-formed fibrous web ply/wet-laid fibrous webply/wet-laid fibrous web ply/co-formed fibrous web ply) are then bondedtogether at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steel thermal bond unit, oilheated to about 143° C. (290° F.) and loaded to 200 psi of pressure ontwo 2.5″ diameter cylinders.

Each of the 21 gsm paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures26 are formed on an AstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson,Charleston, S.C.), then vacuum transferred to the patterned moldingmember described above. A pulp blend of 40% lightly refined GPOP NSKpulp (Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Atlanta, Ga.), 20% Alabama Riversouthern softwood kraft (Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Atlanta, Ga.), and40% eucalyptus pulp (Fibria Celulose S. A., Sao Paulo, Brazil). Wet-endadditives include 10 #/ton Kymene, 2 #/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit1285 surfactant (all commercially available). The papermachine is run at750 fpm Yankee speed in through-air-dry (TAD) mode, with 2% wetmicro-contraction and 18% crepe. The wet-laid fibrous structure iscreped from the Yankee with a 25 degree bevel creping blade and 81degree impact angle. The wet-laid fibrous structure is then wound up ona papermachine reel that is run at 615 fpm to form a parent roll of awet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply). The parent roll is thenunwound during the article making process.

Example 2

An approximately 1.0 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 is laid downupon a collection device 31, for example an Albany InternationalVelostat170pc740 belt (“forming fabric”) (available from AlbanyInternational, Rochester, N.H.) traveling at 240 ft/min. The meltblownfilaments 23 of the meltblown fibrous structure 24 are comprised of 48%LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17% LyondellBasellPH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951 and are spun from a die25, for example a multi-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-FiberfilmCorporation, Greenville, Wis.), at a mass flow of 28 g/min and a ghm of0.22 and is attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. Anexample of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 440 grams per minute ofResolute CoosAbsorb ST semi-treated SSK (Resolut Forest Products,Montreal, Quebec, Canada), are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box like Example 1 above. Inthe coforming box, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers are commingledwith meltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised ofa blend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary die at a ghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48g/min like Example 1 above. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuatedwith 14 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled) fibers27, for example cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblown filaments23 are then laid on top of the already formed 1.0 gsm of meltblownfibrous structure 24 in the form of a co-formed fibrous structure 22. Anexample of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionas the meltblown fibrous structure 24 at 0.22 ghm and is attenuated with16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air is laid down on top of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 such that the co-formed fibrous structure22 is positioned between the first meltblown fibrous structure 24 andthe second meltblown fibrous structure 24 to form a multi-fibrousstructure. This multi-fibrous structure is then taken through a nip 33formed between a steel roll 37 and the forming fabric (collection device31), which is backed by a rubber roll 35, for example a 90 Shore Arubber roll, to form a co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous webply), an example of which is shown in FIG. 2A. The steel roll 37 in thisexample is internally heated with oil to an oil temperature of about132° C. (270° F.) and is loaded to approximately 90 PLI. The total basisweight of this co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous web ply) is18.4 gsm. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Two of these co-formed fibrous webs 28 (co-formed fibrous web plies) arethen combined on the outside of two paper webs, for example two wet-laidfibrous structures 26 (wet-laid fibrous webs or wet-laid fibrous webplies) of 21 gsm to form an article 20 according to the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 4. The paper webs, for example wet-laidfibrous structures 26 are pre-formed on a continuous knuckle/discretepillow patterned molding member with 45% knuckle area. The knuckles ofthe paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 are facingout relative to the article 20, as are the 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrousstructures 24 (scrims), when present, relative to the article 20, suchthat at least one of the meltblown fibrous structures 24 forms anexterior surface of the article 20 when present. The four fibrous webs(fibrous web plies) (co-formed fibrous web ply/wet-laid fibrous webply/wet-laid fibrous web ply/co-formed fibrous web ply) are then bondedtogether at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steel thermal bond unit, oilheated to about 140° C. (285° F.) and loaded to 150 psi of pressure ontwo 2.5″ diameter cylinders.

Each of the 21 gsm paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures26 is formed on an AstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson,Charleston, S.C.), then vacuum transferred to the patterned moldingmember described above. A pulp blend of 40% lightly refined GPOP NSKpulp (Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Atlanta, Ga.), 20% Alabama Riversouthern softwood kraft (Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Atlanta, Ga.), and40% eucalyptus pulp (Fibria Celulose S. A., Sao Paulo, Brazil). Wet-endadditives include 10 #/ton Kymene, 2 #/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit1285 surfactant (all commercially available). The papermachine is run at700 fpm Yankee speed in through-air-dry (TAD) mode, with 2% wetmicro-contraction and 18% crepe. The wet-laid fibrous structure iscreped from the Yankee with a 25 degree bevel creping blade and 81degree impact angle. The wet-laid fibrous structure is then wound up ona papermachine reel that is run at 574 fpm (feet per minute) to form aparent roll of a wet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply). Theparent roll is then unwound during the article making process.

Example 3

A 28.2 gsm paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26 orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) made on a continuousknuckle/discrete pillow patterned molding member with 25% knuckle areais unwound upon an Albany International Velostat 170pc740 belt (AlbanyInternational) traveling at 155 fpm. Laid upon this paper web, forexample wet-laid fibrous structure 26 is 2.0 gsm of a meltblown fibrousstructure 24 comprising meltblown filaments 23 comprised of 48%LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17% LyondellBasellPH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. The meltblown filaments23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example a multi-row capillaryBiax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville, Wis.), at aghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48 g/min like Example 1 above.The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with 14 kg/min of 204° C.(400° F.) air. In this example this is now ply A.

An approximately 1.1 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 is laid downupon a collection device 31, for example an Albany InternationalVelostat170pc740 belt (“forming fabric”) (available from AlbanyInternational, Rochester, N.H.) traveling at 220 ft/min. The meltblownfilaments 23 of the meltblown fibrous structure 24 are comprised of 48%LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17% LyondellBasellPH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951 and are spun from a die25, for example a multi-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-FiberfilmCorporation, Greenville, Wis.) at a mass flow of 28 g/min and a ghm of0.22 and is attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. Anexample of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 400 grams per minute ofResolute CoosAbsorb ST semi-treated SSK (Resolut Forest Products,Montreal, Quebec, Canada), are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box like Example 1 above. Inthe coforming box, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers are commingledwith meltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised ofa blend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation,Greenville, Wis.) at a ghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48 g/minlike Example 1 above. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with 14kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled) fibers 27, forexample cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblown filaments 23 arethen laid on top of the already formed 1.1 gsm of meltblown fibrousstructure 24 in the form of a co-formed fibrous structure 22. An exampleof this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionas the meltblown fibrous structure 24 at 0.22 ghm and is attenuated with16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air is laid down on top of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 such that the co-formed fibrous structure22 is positioned between the first meltblown fibrous structure 24 andthe second meltblown fibrous structure 24 to form a multi-fibrousstructure. This multi-fibrous structure is then taken through a nip 33formed between a steel roll 37 and the forming fabric (collection device31), which is backed by a rubber roll 35, for example a 90 Shore Arubber roll, to form a co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous webply), an example of which is shown in FIG. 2A. The steel roll 37 in thisexample is internally heated with oil to an oil temperature of about132° C. (270° F.) and is loaded to approximately 90 PLI. The total basisweight of this co-formed fibrous web 28 (co-formed fibrous web ply) is19.4 gsm. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B. This is ply Bin this example.

In a separate process, two ply A paper webs, for example wet-laidfibrous structures 26 and/or wet-laid fibrous webs are combined with aply B co-formed fibrous web 28 to form an article 20 as shown in FIG.18. The ply A paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26and/or wet-laid fibrous webs, are combined with the meltblown filaments24 facing the outside of the article 20. These plies are then bondedtogether at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steel thermal bond unit, oilheated to about 140° C. (285° F.) and loaded to 150 psi pressure on two2.5″ diameter cylinders.

The 28.2 gsm paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26 and/orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) is formed on anAstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson) like above, then vacuumtransferred to a continuous knuckle/discrete pillow patterned moldingmember with 25% knuckle area. A pulp fiber blend of 40% refined (to 15PFR) GPOP NSK pulp (Georgia-Pacific Corporation), 30% West Fraser CTMP(West Fraser, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), and 30% eucalyptuspulp (Fibria Celulose S. A.) is used. Wet-end additives include 15 #/tonKymene, 4.5 #/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit 1285 surfactant (allcommercially available). The papermachine is run at 600 fpm inthrough-air-dry (TAD) mode, with 10% wet micro-contraction and 10%crepe. The wet-laid fibrous structure is creped from the Yankee with a25 degree bevel creping blade and 81 degree impact angle. The wet-laidfibrous structure is then wound up on a papermachine reel that is run at555 fpm (feet per minute) to form a parent roll of a wet-laid fibrousweb (wet-laid fibrous web ply). The parent roll is then unwound duringthe article making process.

Example 4

An approximately 1.1 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 is laid downupon a collection device 31, for example an Albany InternationalVelostat170pc740 belt (“forming fabric”) (available from AlbanyInternational, Rochester, N.H.) traveling at 215 ft/min (fpm). Themeltblown filaments 23 of the meltblown fibrous structure 24 arecomprised of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951 and arespun from a die 25, for example a multi-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die(Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville, Wis.) at a mass flow of 28g/min and a ghm of 0.22 and is attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C.(400° F.) air. An example of this process is shown in FIG. 2B.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 495 grams per minute ofResolute CoosAbsorb ST semi-treated SSK (Resolut Forest Products,Montreal, Quebec, Canada) are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box like Example 1 above. Inthe coforming box, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers are commingledwith meltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised ofa blend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation,Greenville, Wis.), at a ghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48 g/minlike Example 1 above. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with 14kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled) fibers 27, forexample cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblown filaments 23 arethen laid on top of the already formed 1.1 gsm of meltblown fibrousstructure 24 in the form of a co-formed fibrous structure 22.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionas the meltblown fibrous structure 24 at 0.22 ghm and is attenuated with16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air is laid down on top of theco-formed fibrous structure 22 such that the co-formed fibrous structure22 is positioned between the first meltblown fibrous structure 24 andthe second meltblown fibrous structure 24 forming a multi-fibrousstructure, a co-formed fibrous web 28. The total basis weight of thisco-formed fibrous web 28 is 23.4 gsm. An example of this process isshown in FIG. 2B. This is now ply A in this example.

In a separate process, one ply A co-formed fibrous web 28 is combinedbetween two 28.2 gsm paper webs, for example two wet-laid fibrousstructures 26 or wet-laid fibrous webs (wet-laid fibrous web plies).These paper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 and/orwet-laid fibrous webs are formed on a continuous knuckle molding memberand are combined with the continuous pillow pattern facing outwards.These plies and/or fibrous structures and/or webs are then bondedtogether at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steel thermal bonding unitwhich is oil heated to an oil temp of about 160° C. (320° F.) and loadedto 200 psi of pressure on two 2.5″ diameter cylinders.

The 28.2 gsm paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26 orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) is formed on anAstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson) like above, then vacuumtransferred to a continuous pillow/discrete knuckle patterned moldingmember. A pulp fiber blend of 40% refined (to 15 PFR) GPOP NSK pulp(Georgia-Pacific Corporation), 30% West Fraser CTMP (West Fraser,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), and 30% eucalyptus pulp (FibriaCelulose S. A.) is used. Wet-end additives include 15 #/ton Kymene, 4.5#/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit 1285 surfactant (all commerciallyavailable). The papermachine is run at 700 fpm in through-air-dry (TAD)mode, with 15% wet micro-contraction and +5% crepe (reel faster thanYankee). The wet-laid fibrous structure is creped from the Yankee with a45 degree bevel creping blade and 101 degree impact angle. The wet-laidfibrous structure is then wound up on a papermachine reel that is run at735 fpm (feet per minute) to form a parent roll of a wet-laid fibrousweb (wet-laid fibrous web ply). The parent roll is then unwound duringthe article making process.

Example 5

A 23.1 gsm paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) which is made on acontinuous knuckle/discrete pillow molding member with a 25% knucklearea is unwound onto a patterned molding member, knuckles facing awayfrom the patterned molding member, traveling at 220 ft/minute.

Next, an approximately 1.1 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 is laiddown upon the paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26and/or wet-laid fibrous web. The meltblown filaments 23 of the meltblownfibrous structure 24 are comprised of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28%LynondellBasell MF650w, 17% LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel 51416, and2% Ampacet 412951 and are spun from a die 25, for example a multi-rowcapillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation, Greenville,Wis.) at a mass flow of 28 g/min and a ghm of 0.22 and is attenuatedwith 16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. An example of this process isshown in FIG. 2B.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 325 grams per minute ofResolute CoosAbsorb ST semi-treated SSK (Resolut Forest Products,Montreal, Quebec, Canada) are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box like Example 1 above. Inthe coforming box, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers are commingledwith meltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised ofa blend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel S1416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation,Greenville, Wis.) at a ghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48 g/minlike Example 1 above. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with 14kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled) fibers 27, forexample cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblown filaments 23 arethen laid on top of the already formed 23.1 gsm paper web, for examplewet-laid fibrous structure 26 and/or wet-laid fibrous web, which has itsknuckles facing outward in the form of a co-formed fibrous structure 22.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionat a ghm of 0.22 and attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.)air is laid down on top of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 to form amulti-fibrous structure. This multi-fibrous structure is then takenthrough a nip 33 formed between a steel roll 37 and the forming fabric(collection device 31), which is backed by a rubber roll 35, for examplea 90 Shore A rubber roll. The steel roll 37 in this example isinternally heated with oil to an oil temperature of about 132° C. (270°F.) and is loaded to approximately 90 PLI. The total weight of this webis about 40.1 gsm. In this example this is now ply A.

Then a 2.0 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same composition,ghm, and attenuation air settings as described immediately above isapplied to the surface of the paper web, for example wet-laid fibrousstructure 26 of ply A. This multi-fibrous structure is now 42.1 gsm andis referred to as ply B in this example.

In a separate process, two ply B paper webs, for example two wet-laidfibrous structures 26 and/or wet-laid fibrous webs are combined with thepaper webs, for example wet-laid fibrous structures 26 and/or wet-laidfibrous webs facing inward to form an article 20 as shown in FIGS. 22Aand 22B. These plies, fibrous structures and/or web are then bondedtogether at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steel thermal bonding unitwhich is oil heated to an oil temp of about 143° C. (290° F.) and loadedto 200 psi of pressure on two 2.5″ diameter cylinders. An example ofthis process is shown in FIG. 23B.

The 23.1 gsm paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26 and/orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) is formed on anAstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson), then vacuum transferredto a continuous knuckle/discrete pillow patterned molding member with25% knuckle area. A pulp fiber blend of 40% unrefined GPOP NSK pulp(Georgia-Pacific Corporation), 20% West Fraser CTMP (West Fraser,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), and 40% eucalyptus pulp (FibriaCelulose S. A.) is used. Wet-end additives include 15 #/ton Kymene, 4.5#/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit 1285 surfactant (all commerciallyavailable). The papermachine is run at 700 fpm in through-air-dry (TAD)mode, with 2% wet micro-contraction and 18% crepe. The wet-laid fibrousstructure is creped from the Yankee with a 25 degree bevel creping bladeand 81 degree impact angle. The wet-laid fibrous structure is then woundup on a papermachine reel that is run at 574 fpm (feet per minute) toform a parent roll of a wet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply).The parent roll is then unwound during the article making process.Example 6

A 23.1 gsm paper web, for example a wet-laid fibrous structure 26 and/orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) which is made on acontinuous knuckle/discrete pillow molding member with a 25% knucklearea is unwound onto a patterned molding member, knuckles facing awayfrom the patterned molding member, traveling at 220 ft/minute.

Then, fibers 27, for example pulp fibers such as 325 grams per minute ofResolute CoosAbsorb ST semi-treated SSK (Resolut Forest Products,Montreal, Quebec, Canada) are fed into a hammer mill 29 andindividualized into fibers 27, for example cellulose pulp fibers, whichare pneumatically conveyed into a coforming box like Example 1 above. Inthe coforming box, the fibers 27, for example pulp fibers are commingledwith meltblown filaments 23. The meltblown filaments 23 are comprised ofa blend of 48% LynondellBasell MF650x, 28% LynondellBasell MF650w, 17%LyondellBasell PH835, 5% Polyvel 51416, and 2% Ampacet 412951. Themeltblown filaments 23 are extruded/spun from a die 25, for example amulti-row capillary Biax-Fiberfilm die (Biax-Fiberfilm Corporation,Greenville, Wis.) at a ghm of 0.19 and a total mass flow of 93.48 g/minlike Example 1 above. The meltblown filaments 23 are attenuated with 14kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.) air. The mixture (commingled) fibers 27, forexample cellulose pulp fibers and synthetic meltblown filaments 23 arethen laid on top of the already formed 23.1 gsm paper web, for examplewet-laid fibrous structure 26 and/or wet-laid fibrous web, which has itsknuckles facing outward in the form of a co-formed fibrous structure 22.

Next, a 1.6 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same compositionat a ghm of 0.22 and attenuated with 16.4 kg/min of 204° C. (400° F.)air is laid down on top of the co-formed fibrous structure 22 forming amulti-fibrous structure. This multi-fibrous structure is then takenthrough a nip 33 formed between a steel roll 37 and the forming fabric(collection device 31), which is backed by a rubber roll 35, for examplea 90 Shore A rubber roll. The steel roll 37 in this example isinternally heated with oil to an oil temperature of about 132° C. (270°F.) and is loaded to approximately 90 PLI. The total basis weight ofthis combined multi-fibrous structure and/or multi-fibrous web is 39gsm. This is now ply A in this example.

Then a 2.0 gsm meltblown fibrous structure 24 of the same composition,ghm, and attenuation air settings as described immediately above isapplied to the surface of the paper web, for example wet-laid fibrousstructure 26 of ply A. This multi-fibrous structure is now 41 gsm and isreferred to as ply B in this example.

In a separate process, one ply A is combined with one ply B. These pliesare then bonded together at 60 feet per minute in a pin-pin steelthermal bonding unit which is oil heated to an oil temp of about 143° C.(290° F.) and loaded to 200 psi of pressure on two 2.5″ diametercylinders.

The 23.1 gsm paper web, for example wet-laid fibrous structure 26 orwet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply) is formed on anAstenJohnson 866A forming wire (AstenJohnson), then vacuum transferredto a continuous knuckle/discrete pillow patterned molding member with25% knuckle area. A pulp fiber blend of 40% unrefined GPOP NSK pulp(Georgia-Pacific Corporation), 20% West Fraser CTMP (West Fraser,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), and 40% eucalyptus pulp (FibriaCelulose S.A.) is used. Wet-end additives include 15 #/ton Kymene, 4.5#/ton Finnfix CMC and 1 #/T Wickit 1285 surfactant (all commerciallyavailable). The papermachine is run at 700 fpm in through-air-dry (TAD)mode, with 2% wet micro-contraction and 18% crepe. The wet-laid fibrousstructure is creped from the Yankee with a 25 degree bevel creping bladeand 81 degree impact angle. The wet-laid fibrous structure is then woundup on a papermachine reel that is run at 574 fpm (feet per minute) toform a parent roll of a wet-laid fibrous web (wet-laid fibrous web ply).The parent roll is then unwound during the article making process.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following test methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditionedroom at a temperature of 23° C.±1.0° C. and a relative humidity of50%±2% for a minimum of 24 hours prior to the test. These will beconsidered standard conditioning temperature and humidity. All plasticand paper board packaging articles of manufacture, if any, must becarefully removed from the samples prior to testing. The samples testedare “usable units.” “Usable units” as used herein means sheets, flatsfrom roll stock, pre-converted flats, fibrous structure, and/or singleor multi-ply products. Except where noted all tests are conducted insuch conditioned room, under the same environmental conditions in suchconditioned room. Discard any damaged product. Do not test samples thathave defects such as wrinkles, tears, holes, and like. All instrumentsare calibrated according to manufacturer's specifications. The statednumber of replicate samples to be tested is the minimum number.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of an article and/or fibrous web and/or fibrous structureis measured on stacks of eight to twelve usable units using a toploading analytical balance with a resolution of ±0.001 g. A precisioncutting die, measuring 8.890 cm by 8.890 cm or 10.16 cm by 10.16 cm isused to prepare all samples.

Condition samples under the standard conditioning temperature andhumidity for a minimum of 10 minutes prior to cutting the sample. With aprecision cutting die, cut the samples into squares. Combine the cutsquares to form a stack eight to twelve samples thick. Measure the massof the sample stack and record the result to the nearest 0.001 g.

Calculations:

${{Basis}\mspace{14mu}{Weight}},{{g\text{/}m^{2}} = \frac{{mass}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{stack}}{\left( {{area}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu} 1\mspace{14mu}{square}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{stack}} \right)\left( {\#\mspace{14mu}{squares}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{stack}} \right)}}$Report result to the nearest 0.1 g/m². Sample dimensions can be changedor varied using a similar precision cutter as mentioned above, so as atleast 645 square centimeters of sample area is in the stack.

Individual fibrous structures and/or fibrous webs that are ultimatelycombined to form and article may be collected during their respectivemaking operation prior to combining with other fibrous web and/orfibrous structures and then the basis weight of the respective fibrousweb and/or fibrous structure is measured as outlined above.

Caliper Test Methods

Dry caliper of a fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product ismeasured using a ProGage Thickness Tester (Thwing-Albert InstrumentCompany, West Berlin, N.J.) with a pressure foot diameter of 5.08 cm(area of 6.45 cm²) at a pressure of 14.73 g/cm². Four (4) samples areprepared by cutting of a usable unit such that each cut sample is atleast 16.13 cm per side, avoiding creases, folds, and obvious defects.An individual specimen is placed on the anvil with the specimen centeredunderneath the pressure foot. The foot is lowered at 0.076 cm/sec to anapplied pressure of 14.73 g/cm². The reading is taken after 3 sec dwelltime, and the foot is raised. The measure is repeated in like fashionfor the remaining 3 specimens. The caliper is calculated as the averagecaliper of the four specimens and is reported in mils (0.001 in) to thenearest 0.1 mils.

Wet caliper is tested in the same manner, using 2 replicates. Anindividual replicate is placed on the anvil and wetted from the center,one drop at a time, with distilled or deionized water at the temperatureof the conditioned room. Saturate the sample, adding enough water suchthat the sample is thoroughly wetted (from a visual perspective), withno observed dry areas anywhere on the sample. Continue with themeasurement as described above.

Bulk Test Method

The Bulk of a fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product iscalculated as the quotient of the Caliper and the Basis Weight (asdescribed in the methods above) of a fibrous structure or sanitarytissue product. Values are expressed in cm³/g, by using the appropriateunit conversions. Dry Bulk is calculated using the Dry Caliper of thefibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product; Wet Bulk is calculatedusing the Wet Caliper of the fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissueproduct.

Dry Tensile Strength Test Method

The Dry Tensile Strength Test Method is performed using a constant rateof extension tensile tester with computer interface (example:Thwing-Albert EJA Vantage tensile tester with Motion Analysis andPresentation software 3.0). The method reproducibly determines the drystrength of fibrous structures under fixed atmospheric conditions. Theinstrument is fitted with a set of grips (example: Thwing-Albert TAPPIAir Grips 733GC) into which a strip of sample is inserted. The grips arepulled in opposite directions until the sample fails (tears).

Substrates are conditioned by exposing them on a horizontal, flatsurface and in a configuration of no more than 2 layers high in a roomunder standard conditioning temperature and humidity for a minimum often minutes. Samples are cut 25.4× at least 178 mm, four samples in themachine direction (MD) and four samples in the cross direction (CD).

Samples are aligned and centered in the grips of the tensile tester withminimal handling and handled only on the extreme ends of the strip (theportion of sample that will be engaged in the grips). The tension on thesample at test start is 0<3 g. The instrument is programmed to pull thegrips in opposite directions at 10.16 cm/min. while recording the forcesencountered during the test. The test stops when the measured forcedrops to 50% of peak. The test is repeated on each of the remainingseven samples. Values reported include Peak Tensile (g/in), Elongationat Peak Tensile (% elongation) and Tensile Energy Absorbed (TEA)—thearea under the tensile strength vs. tensile strain curve.

Calculations:

-   -   Tensile Modulus at 38 g/in (g/cm*%): calculated as a linear        regression of the 5 points before and 5 points after and at the        force of 38.1 g/in. The tensile modulus is the slope of this        regression.

Total  Dry  Tensile = avg.  MD  Dry  Tensile + avg.  CD  Dry  Tensile${{Geometric}\mspace{14mu}{Mean}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}} = \sqrt{{{Avg}.\mspace{14mu}{MD}}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}*{{Avg}.\mspace{14mu}{Dry}}\mspace{14mu}{CD}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}}$${{Geometric}\mspace{14mu}{Mean}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{Modulus}} = \sqrt{{{Avg}.\mspace{14mu}{MD}}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{Modulus}*{{Avg}.\mspace{14mu}{Dry}}\mspace{14mu}{CD}\mspace{14mu}{Modulus}}$$\mspace{20mu}{{{Wet}\mspace{14mu}{to}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{CD}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}\mspace{14mu}{Ratio}} = \frac{{{avg}.\mspace{14mu}{CD}}\mspace{14mu}{WET}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}}{{{avg}.\mspace{14mu}{CD}}\mspace{14mu}{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{TEA}}}$For each test, the stated value is the numerical average of the stripstested separately for the Machine Direction (MD) and the Cross Direction(CD).Wet Tensile Strength Test Method

The Wet Tensile Strength Test Method is performed using a constant rateof extension tensile tester with computer interface (example:Thwing-Albert EJA Vantage tensile tester with Motion Analysis andPresentation software 3.0). The instrument is fitted with a set of grips(example: Thwing-Albert TAPPI Air Grips 733GC) and may be fitted with aWet Tensile Device (example: Finch Wet Strength Device, Cat. No. 731D).If used, the device is clamped in the lower grip so that the horizontalrod is parallel to the grip faces and is otherwise symmetrically locatedwith respect to the grips. During testing, the grips or the grip anddevice are pulled in opposite directions until the wetted sample fails(tears).

Substrates are conditioned by exposing them on a horizontal, flatsurface and in a configuration of no more than 2 layers high in a roomunder standard conditioning temperature and humidity for a minimum often minutes.

For sheets with a length greater than 15.24 cm, samples are cut 2.54 cm×at least 15.2 cm each, four replicates in the machine direction and fourreplicates in the cross direction. The distance between the axis of thehorizontal bar of the Wet strength device and the upper grip of thetensile tester is set to 10.16 cm. The liquid container of the WetStrength Device is moved to its lowest position and filled withdistilled water to within 3.2 mm of the top of the container. Thehorizontal rod and its supports are dried and the sample is threadedunder the rod of the Wet Strength Device. The ends of the sample areplaced together, removing any slack, centered with respect to thehorizontal rod and the upper grip, and clamped in the upper grip of thetensile tester. The liquid container is raised so that it locks in itsupper most position, immersing the looped end of the specimen to a depthof at least 1.91 cm. Exactly five seconds after the liquid container israised in place and with the liquid container remaining in place, thetensile tester is engaged. The instrument is programmed to pull thegrips in opposite directions at a speed of 10.16 cm/min. while recordingthe forces encountered during the test. The test is repeated on each ofthe remaining replicates.

Tensile strength is calculated by:

${{{avg}.\mspace{14mu}{wet}}\mspace{14mu}{tensile}\mspace{14mu}{strength}} = \frac{\sum{{peak}\mspace{14mu}{loads}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{each}\mspace{14mu}{test}}}{2*n}$

For samples less than 15.24 cm in length, four strips are cut 2.54cm×6.35 cm (at a minimum, preferably 10.16 cm long), two in the MD andtow in the CD. The Wet Tensile Device is replaced with another set ofgrips. In such cases, the grips are set to a distance of 5.08 cm apartand one end of the sample is placed in each grip. The sample should benearly straight between the grips with no more than 5.0 g of force onthe load cell. The sample is squirted with distilled or deionized waterfrom a spray bottle to the point of saturation (until no dry area isobserved) at which point the instrument is engaged. The grips areseparated at a speed of 5.08 cm/min. and the force at tearing isrecorded. The test is repeated on each of the remaining replicates.

Tensile strength is calculated by:

${{{avg}.\mspace{14mu}{wet}}\mspace{14mu}{tensile}\mspace{14mu}{strength}} = \frac{\sum\left( {{peak}\mspace{14mu}{loads}\mspace{14mu}{for}\mspace{14mu}{each}\mspace{14mu}{test}} \right)}{\#\mspace{14mu}{reps}}$

The test stops when the measured force drops to 50% of peak. The testoutputs:

-   -   Peak Tensile (g/in): The measured value is divided by 2 for the        full sheet because the sample curves around the Finch cup and        returns.    -   Elongation at Peak Tensile (% elongation)    -   TEA (g*in/in²): Tensile Energy Absorbed: area under the tensile        strength vs. tensile strain curve.    -   Tensile Modulus at 38 g/in (g/cm*%)        -   Linear regression of the 5 points before, 5 points after and            at the force of 38.1 g/in. The tensile modulus is the slope            of this regression.    -   Total Wet Tensile:        Total Wet Tensile=Average MD Wet Tensile+Average CD Wet Tensile    -   Geometric Mean Wet TEA:        Geometric Mean Wet TEA=√{square root over (Average MD Wet        TEA*Average CD Wet TEA)}        For each test, the stated value is the numerical average of the        strips tested separately for the Machine Direction (MD) and        Cross Direction (CD).        Flexural Rigidity and Bending Modulus Test Method

The Flexural Rigidity Method determines the overhang length of thepresent invention based on the cantilever beam principal. The distance astrip of sample can be extended beyond a flat platform before it bendsthrough a specific angle is measured. The inter-action between sheetweight and sheet stiffness measured as the sheet bends or drapes underits own weight through the given angle under specified test conditionsis used to calculate the sample Bend Length, Flexural Rigidity, andBending Modulus.

The method is performed by cutting rectangular strips of samples of thefibrous structure to be tested, in both the cross direction and themachine direction. The Basis Weight of the sample is determined and theDry Caliper of the samples is measured (as detailed previously). Thesample is placed on a test apparatus that is leveled so as to beperfectly horizontal (ex: with a bubble level) and the short edge of thesample is aligned with the test edge of the apparatus. The sample isgently moved over the edge of the apparatus until it falls under its ownweight to a specified angle. At that point, the length of sampleoverhanging the edge of the instrument is measured.

The apparatus for determining the Flexural Rigidity of fibrousstructures is comprised of a rectangular sample support with amicrometer and fixed angle monitor. The sample support is comprised of ahorizontal plane upon which the sample rectangle can comfortably besupported without any interference at the start of the test. As it isslowly pushed over the edge of the apparatus, it will bend until itbreaks the plane of the fixed angle monitor, at which point themicrometer measures the length of overhang.

Eight samples of 25.4×101.5−152.0 mm are cut in the machine direction(MD); eight more samples of the same size are cut in the cross direction(CD). It is important that adjacent cuts are made exactly perpendicularto each other so that each angle is exactly 90 degrees. Samples arearranged such that the same surface is facing up. Four of the MD samplesare overturned and four of the CD samples are overturned and marks aremade at the extreme end of each, such that four MD samples will betested with one side facing up and the other four MD samples will betested with the other side facing up. The same is true for the CDsamples with four being tested with one side up and four with the otherside facing up.

A sample is then centered in a channel on the horizontal plane of theapparatus with one short edge exactly aligned with the edge of theapparatus. The channel is slightly oversized for the sample that was cutand aligns with the orientation of the rectangular support, such thatthe sample does not contact the sides of the channel. A lightweightslide bar is lowered over the sample resting in the groove such that thebar can make good contact with the sample and push it forward over theedge of the apparatus. The leading edge of the slide bar is also alignedwith the edge of the apparatus and completely covers the sample. Themicrometer is aligned with the slide bar and measures the distance theslide bar, thus the sample, advances.

From the back edge of the slide bar, the bar and sample are pushedforward at a rate of approximately 8-13 cm per second until the leadingedge of the sample strip bends down and breaks the plane of the fixedangle measurement, set to 45°. At this point, the measurement foroverhang is made by reading the micrometer to the nearest 0.5 mm and isreported in units of cm.

The procedure is repeated for each of the 15 remaining samples of thefibrous structure. Calculations:

-   -   Flexural Rigidity is calculated from the overhang length as        follows:        Bend Length=Overhang length/2    -   Where overhang length is the average of the 16 results        collected.        -   The calculation for Flexural Rigidity (G) is:            G=0.1629*W*C ³(mg·cm)    -   Where W is the sample basis weight in pounds/3000 ft2 and C is        the bend lenth in cm. The constant 0.1629 converts units to        yield Flexural Rigidity (G) in units of milligram·cm·grams.

Bending  Modulus  (Q) = Flexural  Rigidity  (G)/Moment  of  Inertia  (I)  per  unit  area.  Q = G/I$\mspace{20mu}{Q = \frac{732*G}{{Caliper}\mspace{14mu}({mils})^{3}}}$Plate Stiffness Test Method

As used herein, the “Plate Stiffness” test is a measure of stiffness ofa flat sample of a fibrous structure and/or sanitary tissue product asit is deformed downward into a hole beneath the sample. For the test,the sample is modeled as an infinite plate with thickness “t” thatresides on a flat surface where it is centered over a hole with radius“R”. A central force “F” applied to the tissue directly over the centerof the hole deflects the tissue down into the hole by a distance “w”.For a linear elastic material the deflection can be predicted by:

$w = {\frac{3F}{4\pi\;{Et}^{3}}\left( {1 - v} \right)\left( {3 + v} \right)R^{2}}$where “E” is the effective linear elastic modulus, “v” is the Poisson'sratio, “R” is the radius of the hole, and “t” is the thickness of thetissue, taken as the caliper in millimeters measured on a stack of 4 or5 tissues under a load of about 0.29 psi. Taking Poisson's ratio as 0.1(the solution is not highly sensitive to this parameter, so theinaccuracy due to the assumed value is likely to be minor), the previousequation can be rewritten for “w” to estimate the effective modulus as afunction of the flexibility test results:

$E \approx {\frac{3R^{2}}{4t^{3}}\frac{F}{w}}$

The test results are carried out using an MTS Alliance RT/1, InsightRenew, or similar model testing machine (MTS Systems Corp., EdenPrairie, Minn.), with a 50 newton load cell, and data acquisition rateof at least 25 force points per second. As a stack of four tissue sheets(created without any bending, pressing, or straining) at least2.5-inches by 2.5 inches, but no more than 5.0 inches by 5.0 inches,oriented in the same direction, sits centered over a hole of radius15.75 mm on a support plate, a blunt probe of 3.15 mm radius descends ata speed of 20 mm/min. When the probe tip descends to 1 mm below theplane of the support plate, the test is terminated. The maximum slope(using least squares regression) in grams of force/mm over any 0.5 mmspan during the test is recorded (this maximum slope generally occurs atthe end of the stroke). The load cell monitors the applied force and theposition of the probe tip relative to the plane of the support plate isalso monitored. The peak load is recorded, and “E” is estimated usingthe above equation.

Calculations:

-   -   The Plate Stiffness “S” per unit width can then be calculated        as:

$S = \frac{{Et}^{3}}{12}$

-   -   and is expressed in units of Newtons*millimeters. The Testworks        program uses the following formula to calculate stiffness (or        can be calculated manually from the raw data output):

$S = {\left( \frac{F}{w} \right)\left\lbrack \frac{\left( {3 + v} \right)R^{2}}{16\pi} \right\rbrack}$

-   -   wherein “F/w” is max slope (force divided by deflection), “v” is        Poisson's ratio taken as 0.1, and “R” is the ring radius.

The same sample stack (as used above) is then flipped upside down andretested in the same manner as previously described. This test is runthree more times (with the different sample stacks). Thus, eight Svalues are calculated from four 4-sheet stacks of the same sample. Thenumerical average of these eight S values is reported as Plate Stiffnessfor the sample.

Plate Stiffness, Basis Weight Normalized is the quotient of the AveragePlate Stiffness, S, in N·mm and the Basis Weight, in grams per squaremeter (gsm), per the Basis Weight Test Method.

${{Plate}\mspace{14mu}{Stiffness}},{{{BW}\mspace{14mu}{Normalized}} = \frac{{{Avg}\mspace{14mu}{Plate}\mspace{14mu}{Stiffness}},{{‘S’}\left( {N*{mm}} \right)}}{{BW}({gsm})}}$Dry Compressive Modulus Test Method

Compression caliper and compressive modulus are determined using atensile tester (Ex. EJA Vantage, Thwing-Albert, West Berlin N.J.) fittedwith the appropriate compression fixtures (such as a compression footthat has an area of 6.45 cm and an anvil that has an area of 31.67 cm).The thickness (caliper in mils) is measured at various pressure valuesranging from 10-1500 g/in² in both the compression and relaxationdirections.

Condition the samples by placing them out on a flat surface, no morethan 2 layers high, in a room at standard conditioning temperature andpressure for a minimum of 10 minutes. For large samples (larger than27.94 cm on each side), measurements are taken at the 4 corners, atleast 1.5 cm from the edges. For samples smaller than this, takemeasurements at least 1.5 cm from the edge on multiple sheets ifnecessary to record measurements from 4 reps.

Place the sample portion on the anvil fixture. Ensure the sample portionis centered under the foot so that when contact is made the edges of thesample will be avoided. Measure four replicates per sample at acrosshead speed of 0.254 cm/min. The values reported under each pressurevalue are the compressive caliper values. Report the average of the 4compressive caliper replicates for each sample.

The thickness (mils) vs. pressure data (g/in², or gsi) is used tocalculate the sample's compressibility, “near-zero load caliper” andcompressive modulus. A least-squares linear regressions performed on thethickness vs. the logarithm (base10) of the applied pressure databetween and including 10 gsi and 300 gsi. For the 1500 gsi script thatis referenced and applied in this method, this involves 9 data points atpressures at 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300 gsi and theirrespective thickness readings. Compressibility (m) equals the slope ofthe linear regression line, with units of mils/log(gsi). The higher themagnitude of the negative value the more “compressible” the sample is.Near-zero load caliper (b) equals the y-intercept of the linearregression line, with units of mils. This is the extrapolated thicknessat log(1 gsi pressure). Compressive Modulus is calculated as they-intercept divided by the negative slope (−b/m) with units of log(gsi).

Dry Thick Compression=−1*Near-Zero Load Caliper (b)*Compressibility (m),with units of mils*mils/log (gr force/in²). Multiplication by −1 turnsformula into a positive. Larger results represent thick products thatcompress when a pressure is applied.

Dry Thick Compressive Recovery=−1*Near-Zero Load Caliper(b)*Compressibility (m)*Recovered thickness at 10 g/in²/Compressedthickness at 10 g/in², with units of mils*mils/log (g force/in²).Multiplication by −1 turns formula into a positive. Larger resultsrepresent thick products that compress when a pressure is applied andmaintain fraction recovery at 10 g/in². Compressed thickness at 10 g/in²is the thickness of the material at 10 g/in² pressure during thecompressive portion of the test. Recovered thickness at 10 g/in² is thethickness of the material at 10 g/in² pressure during the recoveryportion of the test.

Report the thickness readings to the nearest 0.1 mils for the average ofthe 4 replicate measurements for each compression pressures of interest.Report the average of the 4 replicate measurements for each calculatedvalue: slope to the nearest 0.01 mils/log(gsi); near-zero load caliperto the nearest 0.1 mils and compressive modulus to the nearest 0.01log(gsi).

Wet Compressive Modulus Test Method

Compression caliper and compressive modulus are determined using atensile tester (Ex. EJA Vantage, Thwing-Albert, West Berlin N.J.) fittedwith the appropriate compression fixtures (such as a compression footthat has an area of 6.45 cm and an anvil that has an area of 31.67 cm).The thickness (caliper in mils) is measured at various pressure valuesranging from 10-1500 g/in² in both the compression and relaxationdirections, on a fully wetted fibrous structure.

Samples should be cut slightly larger than the compression anvil, butsmall enough that the sample does not hang over the sides of thecompression fixture top plate. Take measurements at least 1.5 cm fromthe edges to record measurements from 3 reps.

Place the sample portion on the anvil fixture. Ensure the sample portionis centered under the foot so that when contact is made the edges of thesample will be avoided. Saturate the sample with distilled or deionizedwater until there is no observable dry area remaining. Sample should besaturated but not so wet as to run off the sample. Measure fourreplicates per sample at a crosshead speed of 0.254 cm/min. The valuesreported under each pressure value are the compressive caliper values.Report the average of the 3 compressive caliper replicates for eachsample.

The thickness (mils) vs. pressure data (g/in², or gsi) is used tocalculate the sample's compressibility, “near-zero load caliper” andcompressive modulus. A least-squares linear regressions performed on thethickness vs. the logarithm (base10) of the applied pressure databetween and including 10 gsi and 300 gsi. For the 1500 gsi script thatis referenced and applied in this method, this involves 9 data points atpressures at 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300 gsi and theirrespective thickness readings. Compressibility (m) equals the slope ofthe linear regression line, with units of mils/log(gsi). The higher themagnitude of the negative value the more “compressible” the sample is.Near-zero load caliper (b) equals the y-intercept of the linearregression line, with units of mils. This is the extrapolated thicknessat log(1 gsi pressure). Compressive Modulus is calculated as they-intercept divided by the negative slope (−b/m) with units of log(gsi).

Wet Thick Compression=−1*Near-Zero Load Caliper (b)*Compressibility (m),with units of mils*mils/log (gr force/in²). Multiplication by −1 turnsformula into a positive. Larger results represent thick products thatcompress when a pressure is applied.

Wet Thick Compressive Recovery=−1*Near-Zero Load Caliper(b)*Compressibility (m)*Recovered thickness at 10 g/in²/Compressedthickness at 10 g/in², with units of mils*mils/log (g force/in²).Multiplication by −1 turns formula into a positive. Larger resultsrepresent thick products that compress when a pressure is applied andmaintain fraction recovery at 10 g/in². Compressed thickness at 10 g/in²is the thickness of the material at 10 g/in² pressure during thecompressive portion of the test. Recovered thickness at 10 g/in² is thethickness of the material at 10 g/in² pressure during the recoveryportion of the test.

Report the thickness readings to the nearest 0.1 mils for the average ofthe 3 replicate measurements for each compression pressures of interest.Report the average of the 3 replicate measurements for each calculatedvalue: slope to the nearest 0.01 mils/log(gsi); near-zero load caliperto the nearest 0.1 mils and compressive modulus to the nearest 0.01log(gsi).

Low Load Wet Resiliency Test Method

Low Load Wet Resiliency is the ratio of C10 Wet (Compressed wetthickness at 10 g/in²) as measured according to the Wet CompressiveModulus Test Method above to C10 Dry (Compressed dry thickness at 10g/in²) as measured according to the Dry Compressive Modulus Test Methodabove.

Mid Load Wet Resiliency Test Method

Mid Load Wet Resiliency is the ratio of C100 Wet (Compressed wetthickness at 100 g/in²) as measured according to the Wet CompressiveModulus Test Method above to C100 Dry (Compressed dry thickness at 100g/in²) as measured according to the Dry Compressive Modulus Test Methodabove.

Absorptive Rate and Capacity (CRT) Test Method

The absorption (wicking) of water by a fibrous structure is measuredover time by a CRT device. The device consists of a balance (sensitiveto 0.001 g) on which rests a sample platform made of a woven grid (usingnylon monofilament line having a 0.356 mm diameter) placed over a smallreservoir with a delivery tube (8 mm I.D.) in the center. This reservoiris filled with distilled or deionized water by the action of solenoidvalves, which connect the sample supply reservoir to an intermediatereservoir, the water level of which is monitored by an optical sensor.The device is connected to software that records the weight of the waterabsorbed over 2 seconds time by the fibrous structure. Final weight isalso recorded at saturation.

For this method, a usable unit is described as one finished product unitregardless of the number of plies. Samples are placed no more than 2layers high on a flat surface at standard conditioning temperature andhumidity for a minimum of 10 minutes. Cut samples into circles of 7.62cm, at least 2.54 cm from any edge, cutting 2 replicates for each test.

Set the supply tube 2 mm below the woven grid and place the circularsample on the grid. The software records the weight of water acquisitionand the time and from this calculates the rate (in g/second) and thecapacity (grams water/gram fibrous structure).

Slope of the Square Root of Time (SST) Test Method

This method is a modification of the CRT method described previously.Samples are cut to a diameter of 8.57 cm and a cover is used to increasethe contact of the sample with the woven support. The device is the samestructure and the software records the rate of acquisition between 2 and15 seconds. The calculated result is the slope of the line plotting thecumulative water absorption (g) and the square root of the acquisitiontime (sec^(0.5)) resulting in SST units of g/sec^(0.5).

Pore Volume Distribution Test Method

Pore Volume Distribution measurements are made on a TRI/Autoporosimeter(TRI/Princeton Inc. of Princeton, N.J.). The TRI/Autoporosimeter is anautomated computer-controlled instrument for measuring pore volumedistributions in porous materials (e.g., the volumes of different sizepores within the range from 1 to 1000 μm effective pore radii).Complimentary Automated Instrument Software, Release 2000.1, and DataTreatment Software, Release 2000.1 is used to capture, analyze andoutput the data. More information on the TRI/Autoporosimeter, itsoperation and data treatments can be found in The Journal of Colloid andInterface Science 162 (1994), pgs 163-170, incorporated here byreference.

As used in this application, determining Pore Volume Distributioninvolves recording the increment of liquid that enters a porous materialas the surrounding air pressure changes. A sample in the test chamber isexposed to precisely controlled changes in air pressure. The size(radius) of the largest pore able to hold liquid is a function of theair pressure. As the air pressure increases (decreases), different sizepore groups drain (absorb) liquid. The pore volume of each group isequal to this amount of liquid, as measured by the instrument at thecorresponding pressure. The effective radius of a pore is related to thepressure differential by the following relationship.Pressure differential=[(2)γ cos Θ]/effective radiuswhere γ=liquid surface tension, and Θ=contact angle.

Typically pores are thought of in terms such as voids, holes or conduitsin a porous material. It is important to note that this method uses theabove equation to calculate effective pore radii based on the constantsand equipment controlled pressures. The above equation assumes uniformcylindrical pores. Usually, the pores in natural and manufactured porousmaterials are not perfectly cylindrical, nor all uniform. Therefore, theeffective radii reported here may not equate exactly to measurements ofvoid dimensions obtained by other methods such as microscopy. However,these measurements do provide an accepted means to characterize relativedifferences in void structure between materials.

The equipment operates by changing the test chamber air pressure inuser-specified increments, either by decreasing pressure (increasingpore size) to absorb liquid, or increasing pressure (decreasing poresize) to drain liquid. The liquid volume absorbed at each pressureincrement is the cumulative volume for the group of all pores betweenthe preceding pressure setting and the current setting.

In this application of the TRI/Autoporosimeter, the liquid is a 0.2weight % solution of octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol (Triton X-100 fromSigma-Aldrich) in distilled water. The instrument calculation constantsare as follows: ρ (density)=1 g/cm³; γ (surface tension)=31 dynes/cm;cos Θ=1. A 1.2 μm Millipore Glass Filter (Millipore Corporation ofBedford, Mass.; Catalog #GSWP09025) is employed on the test chamber'sporous plate. A plexiglass plate weighing about 34 g (supplied with theinstrument) is placed on the sample to ensure the sample rests flat onthe Millipore Filter. No additional weight is placed on the sample.

The remaining user specified inputs are described below. The sequence ofpore sizes (pressures) for this application is as follows (effectivepore radius in μm): 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 350, 400, 500, 600,800, 1000. This sequence starts with the sample dry, saturates it as thepore settings increase (typically referred to with respect to theprocedure and instrument as the 1^(st) absorption).

In addition to the test materials, a blank condition (no sample betweenplexiglass plate and Millipore Filter) is run to account for any surfaceand/or edge effects within the chamber. Any pore volume measured forthis blank run is subtracted from the applicable pore grouping of thetest sample. Any potential negative values are given a value of zero.This data treatment can be accomplished manually or with the availableTRI/Autoporosimeter Data Treatment Software, Release 2000.1.

Percent (%) Total Pore Volume is a percentage calculated by taking thevolume of fluid in the specific pore radii range divided by the TotalPore Volume. The Total Pore Volume is the sum of the fluid absorbedbetween 2.5-1000 micron radii. The TRI/Autoporosimeter outputs thevolume of fluid within a range of pore radii. The first data obtained isfor the “5 micron” pore radii which includes fluid absorbed between thepore sizes of 2.5 to 5 micron radius. The next data obtained is for “10micron” pore radii, which includes fluid absorbed between the 5 and 10micron radii, and so on. Following this logic, to obtain the volume heldwithin the range of 91-140 micron radii, one would sum the volumesobtained in the range, or bucket, titled “100 micron”, “110 micron”,“120 micron”, “130 micron”, and finally the “140 micron” pore radiiranges. For example, % Total Pore Volume 91-140 micron poreradii=(volume of fluid between 91-140 micron pore radii)/Total PoreVolume.

-   -   2.5-30 micron % Total Volume

${2.5\text{-}30\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}\%\mspace{14mu}{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}} = {\frac{{\sum 5},10,15,20,{30\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Buckets}}}{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}}*100}$

-   -   301-600 micron % Total Volume

${301\text{-}600\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}\%\mspace{14mu}{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}} = {\frac{{\sum 350},400,500,{600\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Buckets}}}{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}}*100}$

-   -   >225 micron % Total Volume

${\text{>}225\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}\%\mspace{14mu}{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}} = {\frac{\begin{matrix}{{\sum 250},275,300,350,400,500,} \\{600,800,{1000\mspace{14mu}{micron}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Buckets}}}\end{matrix}}{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Pore}\mspace{14mu}{Volume}}*100}$Horizontal Full Sheet (HFS) Test Method

The Horizontal Full Sheet (HFS) test method determines the amount ofdistilled water absorbed and retained by a fibrous structure of thepresent invention. This method is performed by first weighing a sampleof the fibrous structure to be tested (referred to herein as the “dryweight of the sample”), then thoroughly wetting the sample, draining thewetted sample in a horizontal position and then reweighing (referred toherein as “wet weight of the sample”). The absorptive capacity of thesample is then computed as the amount of water retained in units ofgrams of water absorbed by the sample. When evaluating different fibrousstructure samples, the same size of fibrous structure is used for allsamples tested.

The apparatus for determining the HFS capacity of fibrous structurescomprises the following:

An electronic balance with a sensitivity of at least ±0.01 grams and aminimum capacity of 1200 grams. The balance should have a specialbalance pan to be able to handle the size of the sample tested (i.e.; afibrous structure sample of about 27.9 cm by 27.9 cm).

A sample support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) and sample support rack cover(FIGS. 32 and 32A) is also required. Both the support rack (FIGS. 31 and31A) and support rack cover (FIGS. 32 and 32A) are comprised of alightweight metal frame, strung with 0.305 cm diameter monofilament soas to form a grid as shown in FIG. 31. The size of the support rack(FIGS. 31 and 31A) and support rack cover (FIGS. 32 and 32A) is suchthat the sample size can be conveniently placed between the two.

The HFS test is performed in an environment maintained at 23±1° C. and50±2% relative humidity. A water reservoir or tub is filled withdistilled water at 23±1° C. to a depth of 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Samples are tested in duplicate. The dry weight of each sample isreported to the nearest 0.01 grams. The empty sample support rack (FIGS.31 and 31A) is placed on the balance with the special balance pandescribed above. The balance is then zeroed (tared). One sample iscarefully placed on the sample support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A), “faceup” or with the outside of the sample facing up, away from the samplesupport rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A). The support rack cover (FIGS. 32 and32A) is placed on top of the support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A). The sample(now sandwiched between the rack and cover) is submerged in the waterreservoir. After the sample is submerged for 30±3 seconds, the samplesupport rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) and support rack cover (FIGS. 32 and32A) are gently raised out of the reservoir.

The sample, support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) and support rack cover(FIGS. 32 and 32A) are allowed to drain horizontally for 120±5 seconds,taking care not to excessively shake or vibrate the sample. While thesample is draining, the support rack cover (FIGS. 32 and 32A) iscarefully removed and all excess water is wiped from the support rack(FIGS. 32 and 32A). The wet sample and the support rack (FIGS. 31 and31A) are weighed on the previously tared balance. The weight is recordedto the nearest 0.01 g. This is the wet weight of the sample.

The horizontal absorbent capacity (HAC) is defined as: absorbentcapacity=(wet weight of the sample−dry weight of the sample)/(dry weightof the sample) and has a unit of gram/gram.

Vertical Full Sheet (VFS) Test Method

The Vertical Full Sheet (VFS) test method is similar to the HFS methoddescribed previously, and determines the amount of distilled waterabsorbed and retained by a fibrous structure when held at an angle of60° to 75°.

After taking weights for the HFS method, the support rack (FIGS. 31 and31A) and sample are removed from the balance and inclined at an angle of60°-90° and allowed to drain for 60±5 seconds. Care should be taken sothat the sample does not slide or move relative to the support rack(FIGS. 31 and 31A). If there is difficulty keeping the sample fromsliding down the support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) sample can be held withthe fingers.

At the end of this time frame, carefully bring the sample and supportrack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) to the horizontal position and wipe the bottomedge of the sample support rack (FIGS. 31 and 31A) that water drippedonto during vertical drainage. Return the sample and support rack (FIGS.31 and 31A) to the balance and take the weight to the neares 0.01 g.

The gram per fibrous structure sample absorptive capacity of the sampleis defined as (wet weight of the sample−dry weight of the sample). Thecalculated VFS is the average of the absorptive capacities of the twosamples of the fibrous structure.

Wet Burst Test Method

This Wet Burst Test Method measures the push through force required toburst wetted fibrous structures using a tensile tester with theappropriate attachments (ex: Thwing-Albert EJA Vantage Burst Tester) andrun at a speed of 12.7 cm/second. A useable unit here is one finishedproduct unit, regardless of the number of plies. Cut samples intosquares or rectangles not less than 28 cm per side, in replicates of 4per sample.

Fill a sample pan with distilled or deionized water to a depth of 2.54cm. Holding a sample by the outermost edges, dip the center of thesample into the pan, leaving the sample in the water for 4±0.5 seconds.Remove the sample and drain in a vertical position for 3±0.5 seconds.Immediately center the wet sample on the lower ring of the sampleholding device, with the outside surface positioned away from the burstdevice. The sample must be large enough to allow clamping withoutslippage. Lower the upper ring of the pneumatic holding device to securethe sample. The test measurement starts at a pre-tension of 4.45 g.Start the plunger and record the maximum force when the plunger rupturesthe sample. The test is over when the load falls 20 g from the peakforce.

Some Burst testers use an upward force measurement and some a downwardforce measurement. For the former, take care to deduct the sample weightthat adds to the upward force used to burst.

In some cases, it is desirable to measure an aged sample to betterpredict product performance after aging in a warehouse, during shippingor in the marketplace. One way to rapidly age a sample is attach apaperclip to an outer edge of the 4 replicate stack, fan out theunclipped end of the sample stack and suspend them in a forced draftoven set to 105±1° C. for 5 minutes ±10 seconds. Remove the sample stackfrom the oven and cool for a minimum of 3 minutes before testing.

Calculations:

${{Wet}\mspace{14mu}{Burst}} = \frac{\sum{{peak}\mspace{14mu}{load}\mspace{14mu}{readings}}}{\#\mspace{14mu}{replicates}}$The Burst Energy Absorption (BEA) is the area of the stress/strain curvebetween pre-tension and peak load.Dry Burst Test Method

The Dry Burst Test Method is similar to the Wet Burst Test Methodpreviously described. Samples are cut as in the Wet Burst method andtested dry, in replicates of 4.

Calculations:

${{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{Burst}} = \frac{\sum{{peak}\mspace{14mu}{load}\mspace{14mu}{readings}}}{\#\mspace{14mu}{replicates}}$The Burst Energy Absorption (BEA) is the area of the stress/strain curvebetween pre-tension and peak load.Liquid Breakthrough Test Method

This method measures the breakthrough capacity of a fibrous substancesubjected to a stream of water, which corresponds to hand protectionherein. The apparatus consists of a balance (accurate to 0.01 g) andable to output data to a software interface at 10 hz. A shallow pan isplaced on the balance and a rack, capable of holding the sample, is set15.24 cm above the balance. A reservoir is filled with distilled ordeionized water and this water is pumped at 5 mL/second to an outletjust above the rack holding the sample.

Two rectangular pieces of impermeable material are cut such that thereis an opening of 5×10 inches. The fibrous substance is placed betweenthese 2 templates, MD along the 5 inch side and CD along the 10 inchside, and clamped tightly. The template holding the sample is placed inthe rack, outside of the sample facing up. (Sample could also be testedoutside facing down, if noted.)

The outlet of the tubing (4.76 mm ID) is placed such that the dischargeof the tube is horizontal and located just above the top surface of thesample, approximately 1 inch from one MD edge and in the center of theCD dimension. The tube is oriented so that the discharge of the water isin the MD direction. Water is pumped at 5 mL/second±0.25 mL onto the topof the sample. A timer starts when the water hits the top of the sampleand the scale begins outputting weight every 0.1 seconds to anelectronic file.

A blank is run, before testing any samples, recording the time from thevery start of water leaving the tube to the point at which 0.15 g ofwater is collected in the pan. This “blank time” is a function of theexperimental geometry and not the sample being tested.

The value reported is the time that it takes for 0.15 g of water to passthrough the sample and into the pan, minus the blank time, recordingwhich side of the sample was upward facing.

Emtec Test Method

TS7 and TS750 values are measured using an EMTEC Tissue SoftnessAnalyzer (“Emtec TSA”) (Emtec Electronic GmbH, Leipzig, Germany)interfaced with a computer running Emtec TSA software (version 3.19 orequivalent). The Emtec TSA comprises a rotor with vertical blades whichrotate on the test sample at a defined and calibrated rotational speed(set by manufacturer) and contact force of 100 mN. Contact between thevertical blades and the test piece creates vibrations, which createsound that is recorded by a microphone within the instrument. Therecorded sound file is then analyzed by the Emtec TSA software. Thesample preparation, instrument operation and testing procedures areperformed according the instrument manufacture's specifications.

Test samples are prepared by cutting square or circular samples from afinished product. Test samples are cut to a length and width (ordiameter if circular) of no less than about 90 mm, and no greater thanabout 120 mm, in any of these dimensions. Prepare 8 substantiallysimilar replicate samples for testing.

Mount the test sample into the instrument, and perform the testaccording to the manufacturer's instructions. When complete, thesoftware displays values for TS7 and TS750. Record each of these valuesto the nearest 0.01 dB V² rms. The test piece is then removed from theinstrument and discarded. This testing is performed individually on thetop surface (outer facing surface of a rolled product) of four of thereplicate samples, and on the bottom surface (inner facing surface of arolled product) of the other four replicate samples.

The four test result values for TS7 and TS750 from the top surface areaveraged (using a simple numerical average); the same is done for thefour test result values for TS7 and TS750 from the bottom surface.Report the individual average values of TS7 and TS750 for both the topand bottom surfaces on a particular test sample to the nearest 0.01 dBV² rms. Additionally, average together all eight test value results forTS7 and TS750, and report the overall average values for TS7 and TS750on a particular test sample to the nearest 0.01 dB V² rms.

Average Diameter Test Method

There are many ways to measure the diameter of a fiber. One way is byoptical measurement. An article and/or fibrous web and/or fibrousstructure comprising filaments is cut into a rectangular shape sample,approximately 20 mm by 35 mm. The sample is then coated using a SEMsputter coater (EMS Inc, Pa., USA) with gold so as to make the filamentsrelatively opaque. Typical coating thickness is between 50 and 250 nm.The sample is then mounted between two standard microscope slides andcompressed together using small binder clips. The sample is imaged usinga 10× objective on an Olympus BHS microscope with the microscopelight-collimating lens moved as far from the objective lens as possible.Images are captured using a Nikon D1 digital camera. A Glass microscopemicrometer is used to calibrate the spatial distances of the images. Theapproximate resolution of the images is 1 μm/pixel. Images willtypically show a distinct bimodal distribution in the intensityhistogram corresponding to the filaments and the background. Cameraadjustments or different basis weights are used to achieve an acceptablebimodal distribution. Typically 10 images per sample are taken and theimage analysis results averaged.

The images are analyzed in a similar manner to that described by B.Pourdeyhimi, R. and R. Dent in “Measuring fiber diameter distribution innonwovens” (Textile Res. J. 69(4) 233-236, 1999). Digital images areanalyzed by computer using the MATLAB (Version. 6.1) and the MATLABImage Processing Tool Box (Version 3.) The image is first converted intoa grayscale. The image is then binarized into black and white pixelsusing a threshold value that minimizes the intraclass variance of thethresholded black and white pixels. Once the image has been binarized,the image is skeltonized to locate the center of each fiber in theimage. The distance transform of the binarized image is also computed.The scalar product of the skeltonized image and the distance mapprovides an image whose pixel intensity is either zero or the radius ofthe fiber at that location. Pixels within one radius of the junctionbetween two overlapping fibers are not counted if the distance theyrepresent is smaller than the radius of the junction. The remainingpixels are then used to compute a length-weighted histogram of filamentdiameters contained in the image.

Roll Firmness Test Method

Roll Firmness is measured on a constant rate of extension tensile testerwith computer interface (a suitable instrument is the MTS Alliance usingTestworks 4.0 Software, as available from MTS Systems Corp., EdenPrairie, Minn.) using a load cell for which the forces measured arewithin 10% to 90% of the limit of the cell. The roll product is heldhorizontally, a cylindrical probe is pressed into the test roll, and thecompressive force is measured versus the depth of penetration. Alltesting is performed in a conditioned room maintained at 23° C.±2C° and50%±2% relative humidity.

Referring to FIG. 33 below, the upper movable fixture 1000 consist of acylindrical probe 1001 made of machined aluminum with a 19.00±0.05 mmdiameter and a length of 38 mm. The end of the cylindrical probe 1002 ishemispheric (radius of 9.50±0.05 mm) with the opposing end 1003 machinedto fit the crosshead of the tensile tester. The fixture includes alocking collar 1004 to stabilize the probe and maintain alignmentorthogonal to the lower fixture. The lower stationary fixture 1100 is analuminum fork with vertical prongs 1101 that supports a smooth aluminumsample shaft 1101 in a horizontal position perpendicular to the probe.The lower fixture has a vertical post 1102 machined to fit its base ofthe tensile tester and also uses a locking collar 1103 to stabilize thefixture orthogonal to the upper fixture.

The sample shaft 1101 has a diameter that is 85% to 95% of the innerdiameter of the roll and longer than the width of the roll. The ends ofsample shaft are secured on the vertical prongs with a screw cap 1104 toprevent rotation of the shaft during testing. The height of the verticalprongs 1101 should be sufficient to assure that the test roll does notcontact the horizontal base of the fork during testing. The horizontaldistance between the prongs must exceed the length of the test roll.

Program the tensile tester to perform a compression test, collectingforce and crosshead extension data at an acquisition rate of 100 Hz.Lower the crosshead at a rate of 10 mm/min until 5.00 g is detected atthe load cell. Set the current crosshead position as the corrected gagelength and zero the crosshead position. Begin data collection and lowerthe crosshead at a rate of 50 mm/min until the force reaches 10 N.Return the crosshead to the original gage length.

Remove all of the test rolls from their packaging and allow them tocondition at about 23° C.±2 C.° and about 50%±2% relative humidity for 2hours prior to testing. Rolls with cores that are crushed, bent ordamaged should not be tested. Insert sample shaft through the testroll's core and then mount the roll and shaft onto the lower stationaryfixture. Secure the sample shaft to the vertical prongs then align themidpoint of the roll's width with the probe. Orient the test roll's tailseal so that it faces upward toward the probe. Rotate the roll 90degrees toward the operator to align it for the initial compression.

Position the tip of the probe approximately 2 cm above the surface ofthe sample roll. Zero the crosshead position and load cell and start thetensile program. After the crosshead has returned to its startingposition, rotate the roll toward the operator 120 degrees and in likefashion acquire a second measurement on the same sample roll.

From the resulting Force (N) verses Distance (mm) curves, read at thedata point closest to 7.00 N as the Roll Firmness and record to thenearest 0.1 mm. In like fashion analyze a total of ten (10) replicatesample rolls. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the 20 values and reportRoll Firmness to the nearest 0.1 mm.

Wet Web-Web CoF Test Method

This method measures wet coefficient of friction (“CoF”) of a fibrousstructure using a Thwing-Albert Vantage Materials Tester with a 5N loadcell, along with a horizontal platform, pulley, and connecting wire(Thwing-Albert item #769-3000). The platform is horizontally level, 50.8cm long, by 15.24 cm wide. The pulley is secured to the platformdirectly below the load cell in a position such that the connecting wireis vertically straight from its load cell connection point to itscontact with the pulley, and horizontally level from the pulley to aPlexiglas sled. A sheet of abrasive cloth (utility cloth sheet, aluminumoxide P120) 7.62 cm wide by 15.24 cm long is adhered to the centralregion of testing platform (long side parallel to long dimension ofplatform).

The Plexiglas sled (2.9 cm in length, 2.54 cm in width, 1.0 cm inheight, with a leading edge round curve (0.3 cm radius) extending fromthe bottom of the front of the sled with the radius extending from thecenter of a 0.08 cm diameter hole cut through the width of the sled at apoint 0.3 cm from bottom of sled and 0.3 cm from leading edge of sled.The sled handle is connected through the 0.08 cm diameter hole drilledthough the sled. A 0.08 cm diameter stainless steel wire is bent in atriangular shape for attaching the o-ring of the connecting wire to thesled. A 2.54 cm wide strip of abrasive cloth (utility cloth sheet,aluminum oxide P120) is adhered to the sled from the trailing edge ofthe bottom face, around the leading edge, to the trailing edge on thetop face. The edges of the sled and the abrasive cloth should be flush.The complete sled apparatus (minus the extra weights, described below)should weigh 9.25 (+/−2) grams.

Other equipment and supplies include a weight: 200 g cylindrical shaped,2.86 cm diameter and 3.81 cm tall; a calibrated adjustable pipette,capable of delivering between 0 to 1 milliliters of volume, accurate to0.005 ml; deionized (DI) water; and a top loading balance with a minimumresolution of 0.001 g.

The wet web-to-web CoF, as described here, is measured by rubbing onestack of wet usable unit (uu) material against another stack of wet uumaterial, at a speed of 15.24 cm/min, over two intervals of distance of1.27 cm each. The average of the two peak forces (one from each 1.27 cminterval) is divided by the normal force applied to obtain a wetweb-to-web CoF reading.

Cut two or more strips from a usable unit (uu) of sample to be tested,5.0-6.5 cm long in the MD, and 2.54 (+/−0.05) cm wide in the CD (all cutstrips should be the exact same dimensions). Stack the strips on top oneanother, with the sample sides of interest facing outwards. The numberof strips used in the stack depends on the uu basis weight, according tothe following calculation (INT function rounds down to the nearestinteger):N _(strips)=INT(70/BW _(uu))+1

where: Nstrips=Number of uu strips in stack

-   -   BW_(uu)=basis weight of usable unit in grams per square meter        (gsm).

This stack is henceforth referred to as the “sled-stack”. Cut anotherequal number of strips from one or more uus of test material, 7.5-10 cmlong in the MD, and 4.5-6.5 cm wide in the CD (all cut strips should bethe exact same dimensions). Stack these strips on top one another, withthe sample sides of interest facing outward, and all edges aligned ontop one another. This stack is referred to henceforth as the“base-stack”.

Using the calibrated balance, measure the weight (to the nearest 0.001g) of the sled-stack (W_(sled-stack1)), then the base-stack(W_(base-stack)). Place the “sled-stack” on the bottom (rounded) side ofsled (i.e., the side with the abrasive surface), with one short-side endaligned with the trailing end of the sled. Place the “base stack” on theabrasive fabric adhered to the testing platform, with its long sideparallel to the long-side of the abrasive fabric.

Add DI water in the amount of 4.0 times the dry mass of each stack. Usea calibrated pipette, and adjust to nearest 0.005 ml. Deliver the liquidone drop at a time, in such a way that the exposed stack surfacereceives an equal distribution of the total volume.

Gently wrap the wetted “sled stack” around the sled (through the wiresled handle), ensuring that the back edge of the stack is flush with thetrailing edge of the sled, wrinkle-free, and not overly strained.

Next, gently place the sled (with stack attached) down on top of thewetted “base web” in a position such that the sled's trailing edge isbetween 1-1.5 cm from the back edge of the “base stack” (i.e., edgefurthest from pulley).

After ensuring that the connecting wire is aligned properly in thepulley groove, attach the connecting-wire loop to the sled hook. Theforce reading on the instrument may show a little tension −20 grams orless.

Place 200 g weight on top of the sled, positioned such that the backedge of the weight is even with the back (trailing) edge of the sled.

Set the program to move the cross-head at a speed of 15.24 cm/min for adistance of 1.27 cm (Pull #1), collecting data at a rate of 25 datapoints/sec. After Pull #1, the cross-head pauses for 10 seconds, thenrestarts again at 1.27 cm/min for another 0.5 inches (Pull #2). Thescript captures the peak force from pull #1 and #2, calculates anaverage of the 2 peaks, and divides this value by the normal forceapplied (e.g., 200 g weight plus the ≈9g sled weight). Repeat themeasurement three more times. Reported value is the average of the four.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-ply fibrous structure comprising: a. afirst ply comprising: a plurality of wood pulp fibers and a plurality ofthermoplastic meltblown filaments selected from the group consisting ofpolyester thermoplastic meltblown filaments, nylon thermoplasticmeltblown filaments, polyolefin thermoplastic meltblown filaments,biodegradable thermoplastic meltblown filaments, compostablethermoplastic meltblown filaments, and mixtures thereof, wherein theplurality of thermoplastic meltblown filaments exhibit a length ofgreater than or equal to 5.08 cm, wherein a first portion of theplurality of wood pulp fibers are in the form of a first wet laidfibrous structure and a second portion of the plurality of wood pulpfibers are commingled together with a portion of the thermoplasticmeltblown filaments in the form of a coform fibrous structure; and b. asecond ply comprising a second wet laid fibrous structure comprising aplurality of wood pulp fibers, wherein the portion of the thermoplasticmeltblown filaments in the form of the coform fibrous structure of thefirst ply are spun from a die and directly laid on top of the second wetlaid fibrous structure such that the multi-ply fibrous structureexhibits a Dry Burst Energy Absorption of greater than 20.0 (g-in/in²)as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and a Dry ThickCompression of greater than 700 mils*mils/log (gr force/in²) as measuredaccording to the Dry Compressive Modulus Test Method.
 2. The multi-plyfibrous structure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of theplurality of thermoplastic meltblown filaments is selected from thegroup consisting of polyolefin thermoplastic meltblown filaments,polylactic acid thermoplastic meltblown filaments, polyhydroxyalkanoatethermoplastic meltblown filaments, polyesteramide thermoplasticmeltblown filaments, polycaprolactone thermoplastic meltblown filaments,and mixtures thereof.
 3. The multi-ply fibrous structure according toclaim 2 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin selected fromthe group consisting of: polypropylene, polyethylene, and mixturesthereof.
 4. The multi-ply fibrous structure according to claim 1 whereinthe multi-ply fibrous structure further exhibits a Bending Modulus ofless than 10.00 [(mg*cm·g)/mils³] as measured according to the FlexuralRigidity and Bending Modulus Test Method.
 5. The multi-ply fibrousstructure according to claim 1 wherein the multi-ply fibrous structurefurther exhibits a TS7 of less than 17.0 dB V² rms as measured accordingto the Emtec Test Method.
 6. The multi-ply fibrous structure accordingto claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of thermoplasticmeltblown filaments is selected from the group consisting ofbiodegradable thermoplastic meltblown filaments, compostablethermoplastic meltblown filaments and mixtures thereof.
 7. The multi-plyfibrous structure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of theplurality of thermoplastic meltblown filaments is selected from thegroup consisting of polylactic acid thermoplastic meltblown filaments,polyhydroxyalkanoate thermoplastic meltblown filaments, polyesteramidethermoplastic meltblown filaments, polycaprolactone thermoplasticmeltblown filaments, and mixtures thereof.
 8. The multi-ply fibrousstructure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality ofthermoplastic meltblown filaments is a polylactic acid thermoplasticmeltblown filament.
 9. The multi-ply fibrous structure according toclaim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of thermoplastic meltblownfilaments is a polyhydroxyalkanoate thermoplastic meltblown filament.